A couple have been left without a venue for their wedding day after Colchester Council announced plans to close the Moot Hall for refurbishment.

Tara Beecham and Darren Bodice had booked the impressive venue at the Town Hall for their wedding breakfast and reception in July next year.

But on Friday they heard the venue will be closed between June and October 2001 and all bookings cancelled.

Miss Beecham's mum Elaine Beecham, of St Andrew's Avenue, who received the letter, said: "If an explanation had been given it would have been a little bit easier to swallow. She hasn't been able to ring them because she's been so upset.

"We are pretty disappointed. We have booked caterers, the toast master, florists, a horse and carriage, and cars for the bridesmaids."

The couple, both from Colchester, booked the hall in January, and paid a £25 deposit, which will be returned. Town Serjeant Richard Buckle said the Moot Hall would be closed for four months.

When the Beechams booked this was not known, said Mr Buckle, and he had let them know as soon as he could.

He said when the booking was taken it would have been pointed out that the council reserved the right to alter it if the venue was urgently needed.

Mr Buckle stressed he had asked in the letter that Mrs Beecham contact him to see if he could find alternative accommodation in the Town Hall, or change the date.

But Mrs Beecham said any other room at the venue would not be big enough for 250 reception guests.

"This time has been deliberately chosen to fit in with things that cannot be altered such as the Oyster Feast, local elections and Christmas events," added Mr Buckle.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.