A bride who's mum died on the morning of her wedding went ahead with her big day as her mum "would have wished".

Laura Heaney was faced with the tragic news that her mum had died of pancreatic cancer just hours before her nuptials.

She was due to wed her husband Sean on Saturday, October 8, 2016.

But in the early hours of what was meant to be the happiest day of her life - her mum, Ann, passed away.

Lara, 36, of Newquay, Cornwall, said: "Mum came out for a drink for my hen do just two nights before the wedding and smiled through the pain.

“Her determination to live her life to the fullest to the very end, is something that will stay with us forever.

“The night before the wedding I went round to the accommodation where she was staying with my dad, and the rest of our family. We laughed, smiled and I went home to get ready for my big day.

“On the morning at 6am on my wedding day, there was a knock at the door, I leapt out of bed ready for my hair and make-up – but it was my dad letting me know my mum had gone.

"With her last breath and my dad by her side she had told him the day must go on."

Lara's mum, Ann, worked for for the NHS at Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital, focusing on children’s health and heart surgery.

She found out about her diagnosis following a trip back from Australia in March 2016 with her husband Andrew, having seen their daughter Sarah, son-in-law Luke and grandson Toby who live in Brisbane.

Lara said: "Mum thought she was just jet lagged as she felt tired and had a pain in her back. After a while she went to see her doctor who gave her blood tests and checked for any gall stone problems.

“But on March 10, which is my brother’s birthday, we found out that mum had been diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer, which had spread to her liver and we were told it was not treatable.

"With a three-month prognosis we feel very blessed and privileged that she made it to the wedding day as she promised.

"Pancreatic cancer is such an aggressive cancer with such easily missed symptoms.

"My mum fought with everything she had to spend more time with us all and we miss her every day."

Following her diagnosis, Ann made the most of her time – going to a Take That concert in London with Lara and enjoying days out with her husband Andrew.

Lara added: "I don’t know how we all kept it together, but through the love and support of my family, we made it and carried out mum’s wish that the wedding should carry on.

"The priest had made the announcement of mum’s death at the packed church of 200 guests before I arrived and I understand it was handled beautifully.

“Dad made a speech as planned at the reception and included mum’s death of course in the speech. The sun came out the second we left the church, which felt like we were really being looked down upon, I even got sunburnt.

“No one ever forgets our wedding anniversary now, myself and my husband Sean always have a cocktail and remember mum and whenever the sun comes out, I know mum is looking down.

“Since her death I mark our wedding anniversary and her death by going for a walk on the headland in Newquay. It gives me time to reflect and to remember her. I miss her every day.”

Now, Lara is raising money for Cancer Research UK in honour of her mum Ann, by taking part in the 5k Pretty Muddy at Stithians Showground in Truro on May 20.

Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the South West, Ali Birkett, said: “We are grateful to Lara for her support.

"Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. "