TWO NHS workers are getting the wedding of their dreams at a luxury country house in Monmouthshire - courtesy of champion cyclist Geraint Thomas.

Tour de France winner Mr Thomas, 35, decided to thank emergency workers Evie Evans and Mathew Howson for their NHS work during the pandemic.

And he is laying on a wedding day worth £35,000 for the pair at his own Monmouthshire country house, where he married his wife.

Mr Thomas and wife Sara, 30, loved their own wedding day so much they bought the country house venue for other couple's to enjoy their big day.

They tied the knot at St Tewdrics House, just outside Chepstow, in October 2015, after buying the Monmouthshire property for £2.5 million that same year.

South Wales Argus:

St Tewdrics competition winners Matt Howsen and Evie Evans and their cocker spaniel Freddie

Although the six bedroom Italianate villa is run as a business - the Thomases wanted to gift a free wedding to a deserving couple for their work during the pandemic.

Bride-to-be Ms Evans, 25, originally from York, is set to marry fiancé Mr Howson, 27, after the two NHS physios were chosen as the lucky pair.

They will now enjoy a ceremony worth £35,000 - with the cake, flowers, photographer, catering, and even the bride's make-up thrown in.

Mr Thomas - whose mum Hilary, 65, is a nurse - also raised more than £325,000 for the NHS at the peak of the pandemic last year by cycling for 12 hours at a time.

He said: "During the pandemic, the team at St Tewdrics, my wife, Sara, and I wanted to make some sort of gesture to recognise the efforts of our incredible key workers. We felt this competition might go some way to show our appreciation.

"Our brilliant suppliers stepped up to the plate to offer everything you could dream of for a wedding and we're so happy to be able to offer this prize to Evie and Matt and host them at St Tewdrics House.

"All the applications were very moving, but it was clear that Evie and Matt did everything they could to help people at a really difficult time. We wish them every happiness and hope their wedding day is everything they wish for and more."

The future Mr and Mrs Howson both work for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and saw their roles change dramatically during the pandemic.

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Mr Howson, from Cardiff, said: "This side of my job increased 10-fold during the pandemic as many people saw their appointments cancelled and struggled with both their physical and mental health."

Caroline Sims, operations and marketing director at St Tewdrics House said: "It was obvious from the competition entry that Matt and Evie had gone above and beyond during the pandemic to provide care and hope for their patients.

"We hope Matt and Evie have the most wonderful day and we wish them a lifetime of happiness."