A 25-year-old Moroccan was arrested minutes before he was to say “I do” at the altar, Italian media report.

The man was arrested in the village of Torbole Casaglia, in the Brescia province.

The marriage would have allowed the Moroccan to apply for Italian citizenship.

But his plans were spoiled when Italian police turned up at the church to arrest him.

The man had already been expelled from Italy, but made his way back in and was about to get married when the police intervened.

He was charged in court and expelled from Italy again.