The loved-up couple had only invited two friends and Mark’s mother to watch them exchange vows at the Forge Chapel at the Mill Hotel, according to The Sun.

"There were security guys with earpieces shielding Kerry with umbrellas," a source told the paper. "You’d have thought they were guarding the Queen."

The union was in stark contrast to Kerry’s first wedding to Westlife singer Brian McFadden in January 2002.

The couple married in County Meath in Ireland with a reception for 200 guests held at nearby Slane Castle, reportedly costing £400,000.

Kerry arrives in Gretna for wedding - Feb 14 2007
Kerry Katona’s fiance gave guests the thumbs up ahead of a low-key wedding ceremony in Gretna Green.

Cab driver Mark Croft arrived at the Mill Hotel for his wedding tonight to the former Atomic Kitten singer, who is almost eight months pregnant.

Bouncers held up umbrellas to stop the waiting paparazzi catching a glimpse of the couple, after a blacked-out Mercedes people-carrier followed by two Mercedes cars arrived at the three-star hotel in Dumfries and Galloway.

But 35-year-old Mark was later spotted gesturing with his thumb up to another of the guests.

The couple’s wedding banns have been posted at Gretna’s registration office for the past fortnight.

Today’s union is in stark contrast to Kerry’s first wedding to Westlife singer Brian McFadden in January 2002.

The couple married in County Meath in Ireland with a reception for 200 guests held at nearby Slane Castle, reputedly costing £400,000.

The 26-year-old is now expecting a baby girl after the couple got together in January last year, getting engaged just five weeks later.

Her divorce was finalised towards the end of last year.

The couple are expected to exchange vows later tonight.

Kerry to marry in Gretna? - Jan 31 2007
It’s rumoured that Kerry Katona is heading to Gretna Green for a romantic Valentine’s Day wedding with her new beau.

The 26-year-old former Atomic Kitten and I’m A Celebrity contestant will tie the knot with her boyfriend, cabbie Mark Croft, next month, reports The Sun.

A source close to the smitten couple told the paper: "Mark thought Gretna had an air of romance about it."

The Scottish town of Gretna Green is reknowned for couples eloping there to exchange their vows.

Kerry, who has two children from her relationship with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden, began dating Mark in February 2005 and is expecting his child in March.

The lovebirds plan to call their baby girl Maggie May after the classic Rod Stewart song, The Sun said.

Kerry confesses to drink drug battle, Aug 29 - 2006
Pregnant star Kerry Katona has admitted that she turned to alcohol and drugs to deal with her distressing split from Brian McFadden.

The 25-year-old revealed that she used drink and drugs to help numb the pain of rejection, telling Closer magazine: "Drugs and drink provided a mask for me to hide behind."

She added: "They meant I could pretend to be the bubbly Kerry who everyone loved."

The feisty Northerner, who is now expecting a baby with her fiance Mark Croft, even confesses to checking into rehab three times to try and deal with her addictions.

A friend told the magazine: "Kerry hit rock bottom after the split. She had tried drugs when she was much younger, and after the break-up, she resorted to drink and drugs to make herself feel better about herself."