Dr Alastair Sansome-Smith, whose research has included work on the blackcurrant Ribena drink, was married on Saturday to Diane Heywood, the headmistress of the sixth form at Redland High for Girls, an independent school in Bristol.

The ceremony was conducted by the Rev Greta Hale at All Saints' church - known as the Cathedral in the Forest - at Newland in Gloucestershire.

Following a champagne reception on Saturday, a special luncheon next day brought together family members from America and Holland and leading lights from the realms of pharmaceutical manufacturing and education.

Dr Sansome-Smith, 45, attended Southam Comprehensive School - now Southam College - in the 1970s and went to Bristol and Birmingham universities.

He was said to be a "pioneer pupil" of a sometimes much-maligned comprehensive system in its early days, and showed it to work for him in his climb to the top ranks of his profession.

The groom's hobby is playing lead violin in the Forest of Dean Orchestra. He was thought to be a confirmed bachelor, but, as he confessed to luncheon guests, his heart was captured on a blind date by "the loveliest lady in the land."

The groom's mother is retired Southam school teacher Diane Sansome-Smith. The best man was Mr David Sansome-Smith of Leamington company Sansome Roofing. Their sister Fiona, a former Warwick Hospital nurse who is now nursing in the USA, attended the wedding with her American husband Kenny Wagner. Their daughter Katie and cousins Grace and Daniela of Leamington, were bridesmaids.

Dr Sansome-Smith has specialised in food technology research for 18 years with GlaxoSmithKline at Coleford, in Gloucestershire.

The couple have renovated a Victorian villa and will settle in Coleford.