A WEDDING was wrecked when the bride's dad was punched to the ground by a guest - just as he was about to make his speech, a court has heard.

Dad Stewart Waters was rushed to hospital by ambulance with head and mouth injuries after the blow from his nephew Daniel Porter at the wedding reception in a Cotswold barn near Dursley.

The prosecution alleged bodybuilder Mr Porter, 29, struck out because he was angry with Mr Waters for breaking the news to him that his dad, Michael Porter, had been married twice before marrying his mum.

It was a family secret Mr Porter had never heard before that day, said prosecutor David Chidgey.

The incident happened outside the Kingscote Barn reception venue near Nympsfield on September 11, 2009 after the church wedding of Mr Waters' daughter, Zoe Jukes, Gloucester crown court was told.

Mr Porter, of Marsh House Avenue, Billingham, near Middlesbrough, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Waters causing actual bodily harm.

He told the jury he had acted in self defence because he believed Mr Waters was going to hit him.

He was found not guilty.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC refused to grant a defendant's costs order to Mr Porter.