A BRIDE from Helensburgh has put one of her best friends in the running for the holiday of a lifetime –and the title of the UK’s best bridesmaid.

Leanne McNiven, 32, nominated her friend Amanda Wane for the prize after she organised a host of surprise events in the lead up to her pal’s big day.

Leanne, an auxilliary nurse, told the story which made 33-year-old Amanda such an outstanding and dream bridesmaid with a host of surprises in the lead up to the big day.

Using the promise of a spa day in Edinburgh as a decoy, Amanda took bride Leanne on a mystery tour that demonstrated the level of trust between these two besties.

Recalling Amanda’s tactics, Leanne, who now lives in Inverness, said: “After bundling me into a taxi she proceeded to blindfold me, popped earphones into my ears and was placing things over my head, in my hair, on my legs.”

Attentive bridesmaid Amanda arranged for seven of Leanne’s close friends and family to await her at Edinburgh airport, complete with matching red berets and scarves, and whisked her off for a weekend in Paris.

Amanda had even managed to procure Leanne’s passport without a whiff of suspicion from the lucky bride.

Leanne added: “I was in complete shock.”

Leanne tied the knot with dashing groom Callum McNiven, who works as a gamekeeper.

But long before her pal’s wedding day, Amanda arranged a weekend of mischief in the French capital, renowned worldwide as the city of love – complete with partying until the wee hours, sightseeing and getting lost in the city streets.

And Amanda wasn’t finished there: she also organised a second night out, this one in her pal's home town of Inverness, to ensure that all of Leanne’s nearest and dearest could give her a memorable farewell to singledom.

Amanda, who lives in Dumbarton and works as an events manager, told the Advertiser: “We grew up together and I have known Leanne all of my life.

“Our parents were best friends and our dads were in the Navy together.

“It was so nice for Leanne to nominate me for this. I hope I win now, just for her.

“She is the sort of person who would do anything for anybody.”

Whilst every bride and wedding is unique, no wedding squad can be complete without an impeccable bridesmaid.

Brides from all over the UK submitted their stories of loyalty and dedication to hen and stag experts Red7, who narrowed down all the entries to just 14 finalists.

And Amanda is one of only two finalists from Scotland in the running to make it to the final seven, to be named later this week.

The overall winner will be selected from those final seven and will be revealed on Friday, March 23.

Should Amanda make it through to the final, and be chosen the overall winner, she’ll receive a prize of a four-night short break exploring Bruges and Amsterdam.

Now Amanda hopes to win the prestigious title of Britain’s best bridesmaid.

The overall winner will be revealed on March 23 and will receive a four-night short break to explore Bruges and Amsterdam.