Noel and Meg tie the knot in Vegas

Noel Gallagher, the songwriting genius behind the group Oasis, has married his long-term girlfriend Meg Mathews in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas, it was revealed last night.

The couple, pictured right, married just before midnight on Thursday at the Little Church of the West, the oldest wedding chapel on Nevada's famous "Strip".

The congregation was just seven-strong, including Gallagher's mother Peggy who made the trip to the desert from her home in Manchester, and his new wife's parents, Stan and Christine Mathews. According to the owner- manager of the church, Greg Smith, "they were dancing in the aisles to Beatles songs" and were serenaded by Ron de Car, an Elvis impersonator. "Ron did `Viva Las Vegas', `Love Me Tender' and `Falling in Love with You'. He was very good. He's one of the best," said Mr Smith.

After the wedding the couple were whisked off by limousine and were yesterday reported to be heading for New York where Gallagher is to perform at today's Tibetan Freedom Concert.

Gallagher's agent said: "Noel and Meg wanted a small, private ceremony following the media intrusion last time they tried to wed in February. It was not a rush decision to get married, they have been planning it for some time."

The 30-year-old songwriter's brother Liam, who married the actress Patsy Kensit in April, failed to make it to Vegas for his brother's ceremony because of pressing UK engagements.

The Little Church of the West has played host to numerous celebrity weddings in recent years, including that of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates, who subsequently split up.

Matthew Brace