A PORT couple who are expecting their first baby say it’s a ‘dream come true’ to win the Tele’s fantastic £5,000 wedding competition.

Jo-Anne Cricchi and her fiancè Andrew McFadden are ecstatic after they clinched a plush package at the lovely Lynnhurst Hotel, inset, courtesy of award-winning owners Manorview.

The couple, from Dubbs Road, who are both aged 26, can’t wait to tie the knot.

When the Tele broke the good news to Jo-Anne, she said: “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe it.

“It’s the best news ever.

“We were first on the leaderboard for a while but then we slipped to third and we thought ‘oh well, what will be will be’.

“So to actually win is a dream come true, especially as I’m due to give birth to our first baby in August.”

Jo-Anne, who works as a customer advisor at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Cathcart Street in Greenock, and Andrew, who works in the bakery department at the Tesco store in Port Glasgow, hope to say ‘I do’ on the eighth day of the month — as the number holds a special significance in their lives.

Jo-Anne said: “We got engaged two years ago on January 8 then we booked our wedding for July 8 next year.

“But our plans were put on hold because I’m expecting our first child — on August 8.”

Jo-Anne got together with Andrew after her pal played cupid.

She said: “I met Andrew through my friend Nicole.

“She worked in Tesco with Andrew and she told me he wanted my number.

“I would say we are soulmates.

“He’s the nicest guy I’ve ever met.

“He would do anything for me — there is not a bad bone in his body.

“He’s also quite handsome.”

Jo-Anne is now looking forward to walking up the aisle.

She added: “We applied for the competition as the Lynnhurst Hotel is stunning.

“I went on Facebook and showed Andrew pictures of the hotel and he loved it.

“It’ll be lovely to know that our baby girl will be at the wedding too.

“I’m going to buy her the biggest white tutu.”

Jo-Anne was keen to thank all her friends and family who have voted over the past few months in our competition, which proved incredibly popular.

She added: “My mum, Margaret McKeown, walked down to the Tele office all the time to hand in votes with our dog Harry.

“She was in so much that the girls at the front office used to ask after Harry when she went in without the dog!

“I also want to thank everyone who voted, especially the McKeown family and the home help workers at Inverclyde Council.

“We really appreciate it.”

The couple won the contest after securing 2,607 votes.

In second place were Philip and Laura who secured 1,988 votes while Darren and Demi were in third place with 1,818 votes.