A BOLTON couple have put business before pleasure and postponed their wedding plans because of a round-the-world-yacht-race.

Andrew Harris and his business partner, Jacqui Matthews, who are joint managing directors of Bolton executive search and selection consultants, Matthews Harris, had planned to tie the knot in June 2001.

They had booked a castle in Scotland for the reception, arranged the catering and Jacqui was in the middle of having her dress measured up, when they discovered a tournament in which they are one of the principal sponsors coincided with their big day.

The BT Global Challenge round-the-world-yacht-race reaches its penultimate day in Isle of Man on June 23, 2001.

The Bolton entrepreneurs are now planning a second attempt to organise their wedding.

Andrew said: "It seems rather ironic that we promote time management skills with all our staff and candidates, yet we have been foiled by such an essential part of the plans.

"It is probably the only time we have let our professional life interfere with our personal one."