A COUPLE who were left devastated after Bolton Council slashed their wedding numbers have been saved from disappointment after Registry Office bosses have "found space" to accommodate them.

Chris Thorpe and Victoria Kay, from Farnworth, were told last week that only 20 out of their 50 guests could attend their ceremony, with only 12 days notice.

They were due to marry on July 31 in the Queen Elizabeth II room inside Bolton Town Hall - but were informed that restrictions were still in place regarding weddings at the venue - despite the Government easing the majority of remaining Covid restrictions.

With nine bridesmaids and six groomsmen, the couple feared that some of them would no longer be able to make the ceremony to ensure parents and young family members can attend.

Accounts worker Chris, 49, was left furious and his fiancee Victoria, a 44-year-old care worker, was “inconsolable” at the thought of reducing the numbers for the pair’s wedding ceremony.

But following an outcry, Bolton Council have found space to accommodate everyone in the venue's Festival suite, which has "better ventilation" and "more space" - with no extra charges for the couple, who are thrilled and relieved that they can still tie the knot.

After the ceremony, the wedding party will head for the reception at Farnworth and Kearsley Labour club.

Speaking to one of our reporters, Chris said: "Thank you for the piece in the paper.

"The registrars have now managed to accommodate our full party. I’m sure your story has helped, thank you so much from both Vicki and myself.

"It's such a relief, you have no idea.

"Somebody else is also getting married there on the same day as us, and they were having similar issues - luckily, they have also been offered the suite.

"It's all sorted now and things are looking up - but I don't see why Bolton Council couldn't have done that in the first place - it would have save us all so much worry and hassle."