Tweedy and Cole in wedding ruse

Ashley Cole (far right) was pictured arriving at Wrotham Church

Pop star Cheryl Tweedy and footballer Ashley Cole have married after they earlier duped the paparazzi over their nuptial plans.

Girls Aloud singer Tweedy, 23, and Cole, 25, had been expected to tie the knot at Highclere Castle, Berkshire.

But on Saturday, the Arsenal defender was photographed arriving at Wrotham Church - next to Wrotham Park stately home - in Barnet, Hertfordshire.

The couple are thought to have signed a magazine deal for their wedding photos.

'Castle cancelled'

A horse-drawn carriage with blacked-out windows, believed to be carrying Tweedy, was seen leaving Wrotham Park's grounds to cross the road to the church.

Wrotham Park, an 18th century Palladian mansion, is set in 2,500 acres of countryside.

Horse-drawn carriage believed to be carrying Cheryl Tweedy left the park

It is thought Tweedy and Cole asked the owners of Highclere Castle not to dispel the rumours that they were getting married at the historic venue, which played host to Peter Andre and model Jordan's wedding last year.

"They were getting married here but they cancelled it months ago. We've got no idea where it is now," said the unnamed guard.

A marquee had been constructed in the grounds of the castle but this was for a corporate event on Friday and was being dismantled on Saturday morning.

Tweedy was joined by fellow band members Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle and Sarah Harding for her hen night in London's West End on Thursday.

Cole's England team-mates were involved in his pre-wedding celebration last weekend.

After Cole proposed, Tweedy said: "I couldn't believe it when he popped the question but now I can't wait to be a footballer's wife."

Tweedy was among the infamous WAGs (wives and girlfriends) who flew to Germany where their other halves were playing in the World Cup.

She won a place in Girls Aloud through reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, and their first single Sound of the Underground went straight to number one.

Cole worked his way through the Arsenal youth system, making his England debut in 2001, but has recently been linked with a transfer away from the club.