brides left heartbroken when a Bolton bridal shop closed are being given the chance to snap up cut-price gowns they may have paid deposits for or had set their hearts upon.

Bailiffs are dealing with the fall-out from the closure of The Loft bridal lounge and beauty salon in Bridge Street, Bolton, earlier this month.

The shop ceased trading without notice, leaving many women in a state of panic as they were left without wedding dresses that they had paid thousands of pounds for.

Bury-based bailiffs, AD Shepherd and Son, moved into the shop on August 7 after the business accumulated substantial debts, including more than £40,000 in rent arrears.

The bailiffs have now spent more than two weeks working to reunite women with their dream dresses if they had paid for them in full.

But there are still gowns remaining, as well as tiaras, shoes, veils and beauty products - and they will be put up for sale on Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3.

The items each have a minimum price placed on them, and customers holding defunct receipts or deposit slips will be given priority when making offers.

Bailiff Dorothy Shepherd said: "We've spent a lot of time trying to turn this situation around. We want girls who already have tried dresses on to have the opportunity to get the dress they had their heart set on.

"Without this sale, the goods would have been sent to auction where I imagine the women would be outbid by dealers."

Women are asked to come to the shop at the sale times and make an offer for the dress of their choice.

No reasonable offer for goods will be refused as long as the minimum price is obtained. Mr Shepherd said: "We've really tried to do everything we can for these girls. It will feel good to finally sell off the remaining stock and draw a line under it all.

"Seeing the brides happy has been a nicer side to our job."

Receipt holders are asked to attend between 9.30am and noon on both days, and all other customers are welcome from noon to 6pm on the Saturday, and noon to 4pm on the Sunday.

For more information, call A D Shepherd and Son on 07860 738 240 or 07971 405 510.