South Shields couple set to wed as Mr and Mrs Claus after cancer diagnosis put on Christmas light display to remember

Margaret Tudberry, 64, and Mick Gurr, 66, will tie the knot on December 21 in a Christmas-themed wedding after getting engaged following Margaret’s shock cancer diagnosis.

Mick proposed after 15-years together when Margaret was suddenly diagnosed with a rare form of cancer of the bile duct at the end of August this year.

Doctors said there was nothing they could do as the cancer was spreading to her liver and pancreas and Margaret is still not sure how long she may have left.

Now they have transformed their Brunswick Street garden in South Shields into Santa’s grotto, complete with hundreds of multicoloured lights and several versions of the fat jolly man himself.

Mick, who works in Portsmouth, spent days putting the display together while he was visiting home earlier this month and the impressive display has got all the neighbours talking.

“He knows how much I love Christmas and that’s why he’s done it, he’s sentimental like that,” said Margaret.

“He kept saying that’s enough and then coming back with more decorations from the shop.

"Everybody loves it and people are coming from all over to see the garden because the word has spread.”

The grandmother, who is awaiting a CT scan to find out how far her cancer has progressed, continued: “It’s all quite emotional, but it’s making me fight even harder against this disease just to see all the lights every time I go outside.

“I’m not sure how long I’ve got, but I feel good in myself and all the Christmas lights and decorations help.

“They cheer everybody up.”

Margaret and Mick will get married at South Shields registry office on Saturday, December 21, before a festive celebration at the Freemasons Hall in South Shields, where they will dress up as the jolly couple while family and friends put on their best elf outfits.

“There’s going to be mixed emotions on the day and tears of happiness I’m sure,” added Margaret.