MURDER OF THE BRIDE

The villager revealed: "Normally her house was quiet. But there was a real row there on Thursday night and I thought I heard a couple of bangs.

"It happened around midnight. You often hear kids playing with fireworks, but these didn't sound like firework bangs.

"I was stunned when I found out someone had been shot."

Chanel was found blasted in the head at her home on Friday following a tip-off to police.

Last night detectives were hunting her father Terence Rodgers, 55.

Rodgers was spotted driving around the area in his red Peugeot 106 following the killing.

He vanished after the car was abandoned in Nottingham.

Just seven weeks ago Rodgers looked "proud as punch" as he gave his joyful daughter away at her marriage to sweetheart Lee Taylor, who is in his mid 20s.

He lived with the couple for several weeks after the wedding.

Warning the public not to approach him, police said yesterday: "We desperately need to talk to him and urge him to give himself up.

"As he was living at the address before the incident, we believe he must have vital information.

"As time goes on we are increasingly concerned for his welfare. We urge anyone who sees him to phone us immediately."

Stockily built Rodgers is 5ft 10ins tall. He has "Christine" tattooed on his left arm and a dagger and a flower tattooed on his right.

Police have still not recovered the murder weapon.

Lee, who lived with Chanel at Huthwaite, Notts, is staying with friends. He was too upset to comment on his wife's death.

Chanel, who trained as a hairdresser, married Lee at Mansfield Register Office on June 12.

A friend said: "They just wanted close friends and family. There were only about a dozen guests.

"But it was still a special day. The weather was gorgeous and Chanel looked beautiful in her bridal dress.

"They hired a lovely vintage car to take Chanel and her dad to the register office. They made a real entrance together.

"Terence seemed like a totally normal bloke. He certainly looked proud as punch to be giving away Chanel. They seemed as close as any father and daughter on her big day."

A reception was held at a nearby restaurant. The friend added: "Lee and Chanel decided they didn't want formal speeches. But a few people stood up and thanked guests for coming. One thing I thought odd was that Chanel's dad didn't make a speech.

"Instead it was Chanel's mother Anne who stood up and thanked everyone for coming and said what a marvellous daughter Chanel was.

"When I asked Chanel why her dad hadn't made a speech she just said he was a bit shy.

"But I don't think it would have been too overwhelming for him." The happy couple went on a honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico, before returning to their two-bedroomed terraced home where Chanel's father joined them.

Bridesmaid Kat Pepper said: "This is the last thing I'd have expected to happen to Chanel.

"She'd just got back from her honeymoon where she went swimming with dolphins and was so happy.

"She was a lovely person. She could be stubborn, but she wouldn't have an open confrontation. If someone was arguing she'd just walk away." One of Chanel's former employers added: "She really wanted to better herself and make something of her life.

"She was my bridesmaid. We went shopping together, and she looked after my house when I went away on holiday. I thought the world of her."

Another neighbour added: "They hadn't been married for long. She was a lovely-looking girl. It's such a terrible thing to have happened."

Yesterday tributes were laid outside Chanel's home.

One bouquet of flowers came with a note which read: "We are so sorry, you will be missed - Jenny and boys. Rest in peace."