A GLASGOW couple who were childhood sweethearts will see their wedding dream come true thanks to the bride-to-be's caring dad.

Lyndsey Mackay's dad Robert entered his daughter and her fiancé Iain Oliver into the Evening Times' competition to win an £8000 wedding.

The happy couple, who are both from the South Side, received the most votes - and they are now ­planning their special day.

Lyndsey, 26, said: "I found out on Tuesday morning. The Evening Times phoned my dad. I went into shock.

"I phoned Iain and he started laughing - he didn't believe me.

"We didn't even know we'd been entered into the competition, my dad did it.

"He has been canvassing for votes ever since - he was even asking guests to vote for us at my sister's wedding last week."

The couple got together while they were teenagers at Shawlands Academy.

Iain, 27, said: "We've been together for 12 years.

"We always knew it was going to happen."

Safety specialist Iain proposed to his other half in February, this year. He had to make sure that the other love of Lyndsey's life was in attendance.

He said: "It was at Whitelee Windfarm and we took our wee dog Maxwell."

Lyndsey, a laboratory technician, added: "Iain decided that while we were out walking one day would be a good idea because Maxwell would be there.

"He's the other love of my life. He's a cross between a miniature Jack Russell and a miniature poodle."

When Iain told Lyndsey he had a question for her, she thought he fancied a takeaway.

She said: "He said he wanted to ask me something and I thought he was going to ask if we could go by McDonald's on the way home.

"Then he said: 'Will you marry me?' I think I said something like: 'Shut up' because I was so surprised."

They now can't wait to start ­planning their big day together, thanks to our competition. which was run in association with Glasgow conference venue, 200 SVC.

The couple have been through a lot together.

Iain's father - a teacher at Shawlands Academy - passed away while they were still at school.

Lyndsey's mum, who has multiple sclerosis, has also experienced ill health and contracted meningitis in 2005.

There has also been countless positive moments.

Lyndsey said highlights were watching Iain's young nephews Tom and Jack grow up and visiting New York.

It is family and friends that will be at the heart of their wedding, which they hope will take place later next year.

They are unsure of the details but it will be a relaxing day for their loved ones.

Lyndsey said: "We're family orientated so we want quite an intimate wedding and we want it to be about us.

"We want all friends and family to get involved."

Iain added: "We don't want any stress or hassle. We just want a ­fantastic day for everyone to enjoy."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk