And they've done it!

Newbury is almost deserted as Prince William and Princess Catherine finally tie the knot

NEWBURY resembled a ghost town this morning (Friday) as thousands of people stayed indoors to watch the royal wedding.

With the wedding of Bucklebury's Kate Middleton and Prince William gripping the nation, most people decided to stay in their homes to watch the coverage of the service, leaving the town centre virtually deserted and free from the usual hustle and bustle of a bank holiday.

However, a handful of people took advantage of the lull to get some care free shopping in, while others enjoyed the royal wedding from the comfort of the pub, with some town centre watering holes opening early to serve breakfasts for their own ‘happy punters'.

Newburytoday.co.uk took to the streets to capture the mood in the town, which was summed up by the store manager at Currys in Northbrook Street, Nick Andrews.

He said at 11.30am: “We have not really had anyone in here.

“We opened at 10am and we have only had two customers.”

Mr Andrews added that his staff was making the most of the quiet spell by doing some merchandising within the store.

One man had a different way of watching the event though, with Bill Sharp enjoying the service on his barge on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Meanwhile, some people found anything else to do to avoid the royal wedding, including walking their dogs, grabbing a coffee or taking a stroll through the quiet parts of Newbury.

Stan Dunbar, who was out having a coffee with his friends Kirsty White (who was celebrating her 23rd birthday) and Hailey Harvey, said: “I have been listening to radio and watching TV in the last few days and it has just been driving me mad.

“I don't have any interest in it and for me, I am happy to just be out celebrating my friend's birthday.”

But in 'Middleton country', outside Princess Catherine's family home in Chapel Row, the atmosphere has been buzzing.

Cheers greeted the ceremony as hundreds of people on the green gathered to watch it on the big screen.

"She looked like Grace Kelly," said Samantha Marlon, after she watched the princess walk down the aisle. "Now the party is going to begin!" she added.

At 12.45pm Bucklebury residents started making their way to Bucklebury Farm Park for the massive Tea in the Park party, where they will watch another television screen to witness the prince and princess kiss on the balcony.

To see some of the photos from around the town, click on the link below and for a video from around the town, including inside The Lion pub, click on the video link above.