Britain's youngest groom; Leslie's just turned 16 - and he's a married man.

Byline: MELISSA THOMPSON; MATT ROPER

WHILE other boys his age were anxiously awaiting their GCSE results, Leslie Coneley was busy fretting over his wedding suit.

At 16 years and 18 days old, he has become Britain's youngest groom. And no, his bride Bonnie, 17, isn't pregnant.

In an age where half of all marriages end in divorce, the couple insist they will stay together - and their families are fully behind their decision to wed.

Dressed in top hat and tails, the teenage groom was shuffling his feet at the front of a packed church as he waited for the organ to strike up, and his beautiful bride to walk down the aisle.

He and Bonnie Buckland got hitched in Swindon, Wilts, on August 7 - just over a fortnight after his 16th birthday party at a local restaurant.

Just back from their honeymoon in Cyprus, Leslie - who cannot yet buy drink, drive or vote - says he will never regret marrying Bonnie, who he started dating when he was just 12.

In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, he says: "Honestly, I never imagined I'd be a married man at 16.

"All my mates are a long way from settling down. But there are people who get married at 40 and end up divorced, so why can't there be people who get married at 16 and stay together for life?

FAIRYTALE

"So what if I'm Britain's youngest groom? Age is just a number. I don't think I'll be missing out on anything. If anything, growing up will be even more special because Bonnie and I will be able to share all our experiences."

Blushing bride Bonnie says: "I've always dreamed of having a fairytale wedding, although I never thought I'd find my Prince Charming so soon!

"I couldn't be happier. Despite his age, Leslie is really responsible and serious about making our marriage work, the best husband a girl could wish for.

"We want to be a traditional married couple, that's why I've given up my job as a nail technician - even though I'd only done it for three months - to become a housewife.

"Leslie wants to be the breadwinner, so he's started working with my brother decorating houses so he can bring in the money.

"Being with Leslie makes me really happy. I know some people will say we're too young but I think we went into marriage with a better attitude than a lot of older people do."

The couple met just over three years ago and are now living together in a room at the home of Bonnie's brother Paul.

Leslie, an amateur boxer hoping to compete at the 2012 Olympics, says: "Both Bonnie and I were home-schooled - Bonnie had a phobia of school so was taken out at nine, and school clashed with my boxing schedule.

"I was besotted from the first day I saw her. Even though I'd never had a girlfriend before, I knew that what I was feeling was real. She was 14 and I was 12 at the time, but I told her I was 14 because I was worried she wouldn't be interested in me!"

Bonnie remembers: "Leslie was different. He seemed more mature than other children his age, that's why I believed him when he told me he was 14. He asked me out almost as soon as we met but I turned him down because my dad had always told me he didn't want me to have a boyfriend until I was 16.

"After six months of asking I finally agreed to a date, but I kept my dad in the dark. Mum would take me up to Reading to see him.

"I fell in love with him really quickly and I'd always end up in tears after seeing him - it was so hard to say goodbye. When we couldn't see each other we'd speak on the phone about 10 times a day.

"After a while Leslie plucked up the courage to ask my dad if he could go out with me, even though we'd been going out for months! It wasn't long after that we decided we wanted to get married.

"Both of our parents married when they were young and they're still together so we knew it would work out."

A lot of loved-up teens talk about getting married, but Leslie and Bonnie went ahead and booked the church. Leslie says: "At the time we hadn't even asked our parents for their permission, which you need if you are under 18. After that, I asked Bonnie's dad Paul for her hand in marriage, which was the most nerve-wracking part of it all.

"He just said, 'I'll think about it,' and it wasn't brought up again. He wanted us to wait for a bit, but once he saw how serious we were about it he agreed."

Both sets of mums are in no doubt that the marriage will last the distance.

BRIDESMAIDS

Bonnie's mum Susie, 40, says: "You've got to know Bonnie and Leslie to know how grounded they are. There are so many teenagers who don't know what they want in life and they're just out drinking, doing drugs and running the streets. I'm proud Bonnie and Leslie aren't like that and they know what they want.

Their marriage will last."

The groom's mum Kelly, 32, adds: "Leslie has always been grown up, never one to go out drinking with his mates and never got into trouble. He's been boxing since he was six and he's had to be mature to focus on that.

"But even though he's always had his head screwed on, I've noticed a change in him since he's been with Bonnie.

"When they told us they wanted to get married I wasn't surprised because I could see how into each other they were. But I did want them to wait a bit, at least until Leslie was old enough to drive.

"Then we saw how determined they were and we didn't want to stand in their way. So we helped them in any way we could."

No expense was spared as both families threw themselves in to organising an unforgettable day. Bonnie arrived at the church by horse-drawn carriage, in an pounds 1,800 dress with six bridesmaids and two page boys.

In the evening they threw a reception for 500 people at the Hilton in Swindon, and the couple's first dance was to Bryan Adams' (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.

Bonnie remembers: "It really was the happiest day of my life.

"Leslie and I didn't drink at the wedding. We're not old enough to do it legally and I wanted to remember it anyway.

"I had a few sips of champagne for the toast, but gave the rest away." Leslie says: "It was nervewracking being in front of all those people, but when I turned to see Bonnie walk up the aisle all that faded. She looked stunning. I feel lucky to be married so young because I have even more time to enjoy it."

DID you marry at 16 and last the course? Email [e-mail]

16 YEARS 18 DAYS

Leslie's age when he wed 17-year-old Bonnie Buckland

CAPTION(S):

THE BIGGEST DAY OF THEIR YOUNG LIVES Cutting the cake, top, and signing the register PROUD WIth mums Kelly, far left, and Susie