They say that the first year of marriage can be a test of character – but for two nearly-weds the challenge began before even walking down the aisle.

David Graham and Tanya Malone were the finalists in the ‘live mannequin’ contest run by the Bridal Studio on Saturday that saw both competitors standing in the Wendron Street shop window until, like stale wedding cake, one of them crumbled under the pressure.

Their prize at the end was a wedding dress of their choice from the Wendy Makin Bridal Designs collection, as well as make up on the day for the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride by Claire Tresidder of Clara-Bella Brows & Beauty, plus wedding photos by Joey Lamb Photography. The runner up didn’t go away empty handed, with a goody bag and ten per cent off a dress at the store.

Both David and Tanya had to hold the same pose in the window for 15 minutes at a time during the first two hours, while they got to grips with what would be comfortable – and what would see them wanting to jilt the process entirely.

It was then really time to knuckle down and show commitment, with the same position having to be held for 30 minutes sitting down, and then after another break for a full hour.

With just two minutes to go before the next break Tanya had to withdraw due to feeling ill, meaning David was declared the winner – much to the delight of his fiancée Rebecca Michell, who grew up in Breage, and who “volunteered” him for the competition. The couple have a 14-week-old baby and so, with Rebecca in demand, it was up to David to win her the dress of her dreams.

Speaking before stepping into the window for the first time, he joked: “I didn’t enter. There was an entry from my better half and now I’m stood here in a suit, waiting to stand in a window.”

Tanya, from Bodmin, was supported by her fiancé Gary Goggin from Shortlanesend and faced an even bigger challenge as she suffers from ME, but said beforehand: “I’ll be crashed out for the rest of the week, but it’s always good to challenge yourself occasionally and for something so great.”

Watching over their every move – or lack of – were judges Ellie Maddern from marketing, events and PR company Easis and wedding blogger Donna Sharpe, of Pasties and Petticoats. Meneage Street’s Hellys Tea Room also offered its supported, bringing sandwiches and cakes for everyone.

The competition was devised by shop owner Tara Trethowan, to celebrate her one year anniversary of taking over the business. She said: “We have had 75 brides in our first year, rebranded the shop, redecorated and changed some designers. This is just a bit of fun to mark the occasion as we didn’t have an opening and we wanted to celebrate it.”

Tanya praised the “fantastic effort” from both David and Tanya, saying it was “amazingly close.”