WHEN childhood sweethearts Rhys Barker and Tete Pachuau tie the knot tomorrow, their wedding will have a truly international flavour. They will exchange their vows at March s Centenary Baptist Church in front of 200 guests from 15 different countries. It

WHEN childhood sweethearts Rhys Barker and Tete Pachuau tie the knot tomorrow, their wedding will have a truly international flavour.

They will exchange their vows at March's Centenary Baptist Church in front of 200 guests from 15 different countries.

"It is a bit like the United Nations; when we counted up how many countries the guests were coming from we got quite a surprise," said the bridegroom's father, Alan Barker.

The couple, both aged 20, met at an international school in Nepal when they were 13. The Barker family left March in 2000 when parents Alan and Megan decided to work for a Christian organisation.

Although they came back to the Fens for the family to finish their education, Mr and Mrs Barker have since returned to Kathmandu.

Tete, from Mizoram, in north-east India, was recently granted a visa to stay in this country and the couple decided to get married. They thought the perfect place for their wedding was the church in March where the Barker family had worshipped.

Rhys, a former Neale-Wade Community College student, has been studying popular music at Goldsmiths, London, and his bride has recently completed her studies in reflexology. They will be living in London after the wedding.

A reception with Indian food will follow the ceremony for which the bride will wear white and her bridesmaids traditional dress from Mizoram.

The bride's parents and two bridesmaids arrived on Wednesday from Kathmandu. Rhys's sister Gemma, another bridesmaid, made the trip from Malawi.

Guests who do not want to miss the couple's big day are coming from Nepal, India, Australia and several European countries. Many are staying at hotels and guesthouses in the town but some will be sleeping on the church floor.

Mr Barker said: "It is very exciting; they met at 13 and have stayed as sweethearts. It should be a great day.