WESTLIFE - WESTLIFE STAR'S FRENCH WEDDING

WESTLIFE singer NICKY BYRNE celebrated his marriage to the daughter of Irish Prime Minister BERTIE AHERN at a lavish ceremony in France on Saturday (9AUG03).

Byrne and GEORGINA AHERN officially married at a simple service at Wicklow registry office near Dublin, Ireland, on Tuesday (5AUG03).

The couple had originally wanted to wed in France, but their plans were wrecked when they found out they'd have to reside in the country for 40 days first, forcing them to have a "quickie" ceremony in their native Ireland. The registry office wedding was a relaxed affair, where Byrne turned up wearing jeans and a baseball cap.

Reports in the Irish press say Nicky wed his blushing bride again on Saturday in the 11th Century church of ST PIERRE AND ST PAUL in Gallardon, near the CHATEAU D'ESCLIMONT, one of France's most exclusive getaways, where the reception took place.

It is also reported the couple struck a $1 million (GBP622,000) deal with celebrity magazine HELLO! to cover the ceremony.

Former BOYZONE singer RONAN KEATING, and NADINE COYLE of GIRLS ALOUD are among the artists who entertained guests.

And despite being in the heart of France's culinary genius, Nicky and Georgina kept it simple with a home style flavour - there was an Irish pub set up at the chateau, and all the food was flown in from Ireland.