Roy and Val Worthington, from Castle Donington in Leicestershire, were celebrating renewing their vows with friends and family when a police helicopter and cars turned up.

A member of the public had called the county's force after spotting a man walking down the street with what appeared to be a rifle over his shoulder.

In fact, the weapon was a toy and the man was headed for the Worthingtons' silver wedding anniversary do at their local, The Moira Arms.

Mrs Worthington said: "We just came out of the church and my husband said 'I bought you a helicopter' as a joke, because there was one overhead. And when we got to the bottom of the road there was all these police cars stopped outside. There was an armed police unit and a police dog.

"Somebody had phoned up and said there was a man walking around Donington with guns. I suppose they were right to have responded but it was a little bit over the top."

She said she contacted Leicestershire Police in November to warn them about the party and that guests may be carrying toy weapons.

Tina Whiting, friend of the couple and landlady of The Moira Arms, said: "I think it was obvious, they were dressed as cowboys and indians. You could tell it was a party and not a shoot-out."

A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: "The police helicopter was already in the area at the time and assisted with the incident. No action was taken against anyone at the party.

"Leicestershire Constabulary has to treat all reports of firearms as genuine and respond to them accordingly. People need to remember that it is an offence to carry a gun, whether real or imitation, in a public place and should bear this in mind when attending fancy dress parties. It can cause real distress to those who witness it and may result in arrests and charges."