A prison in the north China port city of Tianjin has allowed an inmate to re-marry his ex-wife behind bars.

The special wedding took place in a guard room in Tianjin City's Dagang Branch Public Security Bureau earlier this week.

The 33-year-old bridegroom Gao Qingyin, a former technical worker at an oil well in Dagang Oil Field, was serving a sentence for firearms trading.

He married his former wife Yin Jianhong, who divorced him in February last year. The couples have a son. He was allowed to marry in the prison because of his good behavior.

The happy couples were overjoyed at being able to re-unite.

"It seems to be that it's a dream," said the bride. "I believe Gao will change his ways and start a new life. I appreciate all the help from all the police."

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2003)