Wayne Rooney

[Rasputin]

[Rasputin]

Footballer Wayne Rooney has married his childhood sweetheart Coleen McLoughlin, the mayor of the Italian town of Portofino has said.

It is thought the couple exchanged vows at the Villa Durazzo, a 17th Century palace which saw singer Rod Stewart tie the knot last year.

Exact details of the wedding have been kept under wraps after a reported £2.5m magazine deal.

The 22-year-olds met when they were aged 12 and began dating at 16.

A nearby abbey is expected to welcome the Rooney and McLoughlin clans for the wedding reception, climaxing in a huge fireworks display.

The couple are rumoured to have shelled out £5 million for their nuptials, with OK! magazine reported to be meeting half that cost.

Security for the big day has been tight with bodyguards patrolling the venues for days, chasing away paparazzi.

The couple were photographed at the local town hall on Tuesday, where they were believed to have formally declared their intention to wed, as required by Italian law.