Church magazine scoops Schiffer picture

Onlookers were unable to see Ms Schiffer's dress

Supermodel Claudia Schiffer handed a church magazine a massive scoop by allowing it to publish an exclusive picture of her wedding.

Ms Schiffer went to great lengths to stop photographers catching a glimpse of her wedding to film-maker Mathew Vaughan at Shimpling, Suffolk, in May 2002.

She had signed an exclusive deal with a magazine.

She even left the hotel where she had spent the night before her wedding covered in a blanket.

But Ms Schiffer has said the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich could use a wedding photograph in its annual review, out on Friday.

A diocesan spokesman said: "Given the secrecy that surrounded Ms Schiffer's marriage we were thrilled when she agreed to give us a special day to use in the magazine.

"We wanted to produce an attractive, readable magazine that would illustrate the breadth of activities that Suffolk churches are involved in."