Tony Baldry, MP for Banbury, has two things on his mind - contesting the General Election and getting married.

Originally, Mr Baldry, 50, and his fiance, Pippa Isbell, 47, had hoped their wedding would be well after the expected polling day of May 3.

Tony Baldry"But when the Prime Minister changed his mind and went for June 7 our wedding plans were too far advanced to change," said Mr Baldry.

The former Conservative minister and Ms Isbell get married at Bodicote Register Office at Cherwell District Council's offices, Bodicote House, Banbury, on Friday, May 25.

The wedding will be followed by a service of blessing at Bloxham parish church on May 28, with a reception afterwards at Bloxham School.

"Normally it would have been the Whitsun Parliamentary recess. We thought that would be a good time to get married after what we thought was the General Election on May 3," Mr Baldry said.

"We had planned to take a few days away for a brief honeymoon in the recess. But now we shall take one day off and be back canvassing on May 30."

Mr Baldry, pictured right, has two children from his first marriage, Edward, 17, and Honour, 15.

Ms Isbell, who is head of public relations for the Orient Express train and hotels group. has been married before but has no children.