Excitement is mounting in the Irish village where Sir Paul McCartney is to marry Heather Mills.

Locals gathered outside Castle Leslie in Glaslough, County Monaghan, awaiting the arrival of a host of celebrities.

But the only vehicles to pass through the heavily guarded gates belonged to contractors putting the final touches to preparations ahead of tomorrow's ceremony.

The usually quiet Sunday service at St Salvator's chapel, within the grounds of the 1,000-acre castle, was besieged by security guards and journalists.

Sir Paul, 59, who lives near Rye, and Ms Mills, 34, who has a home in Hove, are expected to wed inside the 17th Century chapel before hosting a lavish celebration overlooking the lake and rolling hills of the estate.

After a service at the chapel yesterday, pensioner George Woods said: "It's quite amazing our little service is the centre of so much attention.

"It's very exciting and the church looks lovely, although we couldn't see any of the preparations from where we were."

Journalists who attempted to attend the service to get a glimpse of the scene where the couple would exchange vows were turned away by security guards.

Minister Gary Roberts said: "We would always encourage more people to come to church - but for the right reasons."

Reports that a host of celebrities had been invited to the wedding fuelled the excitement.

Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Sting and John Eastman, the brother of Sir Paul's late wife Linda, are all said to be invited.

Sir Paul's children, Stella, James, Mary and stepdaughter Heather, were also said to be attending.

Sir Paul met anti-landmines campaigner Ms Mills three years ago and they were engaged in July last year.