A BRIDE-to-be who has been on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis has secured her dream wedding dress for free after winning a competition.

Chloe Bayes was chosen as the lucky winner by contest organisers Fairytale Bride and will receive her dress in the coming weeks.

The wedding shop, which relocated from Coggeshall to Colchester in October, launched a free dress competition last year during the first lockdown.

Bosses asked for NHS workers set to tie the knot to be put forward and entered into a draw, with the winner receiving a a free dress of their choice.

Chloe is due to marry fiancée Will later this year

The duo met at the University of Suffolk in 2015 and both work at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

Chloe says the pandemic has delayed their wedding but is hopeful it can go ahead in the summer.

Speaking about her and Will's experience of working as nurses during the pandemic, Chloe said: "Will has cared for critically unwell patients, who have not been able to hold their relative’s hands in moments of crisis.

"I have been caring for sick premature and newborn babies and have had to limit time that parents can see their children.

"Acting as supportive advocates for these patients and families has really reinforced what it means to be registered nurses, in people’s time of need.

"Often we would go days without seeing each other as we would be on different shift patterns, which put our wedding planning on hold.

"Although this is normality to healthcare families, it has been tough not being able to see friends and family between busy shifts."

Chloe was informed she had won Fairytale Bride's competition in July and visited the shop a few weeks later to pick out her dress.

She added: "I am so excited and grateful for winning this competition. Thank you Fairytale Bride."

Shop owner Alison Hollis says Chloe went "mad" when she was told she had won the competition.

She said: "We couldn't have chosen a better person for it. She was delightful and so deserving of it.

"The dress she chose was one of our favourite's and she looked fabulous in it.

"Chloe is just one of so many incredible people who are putting their lives at risk for us during this pandemic.

"We owe them so much and giving away a dress to make someone like Chloe so happy is the very least we could do."