A WEST Swindon couple who booked their wedding reception at a Walcot pub has had to make some last minute arrangements.

Steve Jones, 32 and Theresa Green, 27, booked and paid for the function room at the Shaftesbury Pub in Shaftesbury Avenue, more than six months ago and were looking forward to celebrating their big day there on Saturday with family and friends.

But no-one has seen any activity at the venue since Wednesday, May 29.

The couple found out when a friend tried to hire the same function room last week and found no-one there.

Mr Jones, of Wilmot Close, West Swindon, paid £100 for the hire of the room and says he cannot even trace the owner via his booking receipt as there is no name on it.

He said: "The room was booked up ages ago and the deposit paid for.

"I recently paid the balance and as far as I was concerned everything was fine.

"Thank goodness we've managed to find an alternative venue.

"It's been a real nightmare for the past week or so. We've had to let all our family and friends know, tell the people doing the food, disco and flowers of the change of plan and I'm completely run down.

"For the past week I have been down to the pub morning, noon and night without any joy there's just no-one there."

The couple have managed to hire Swindon Superma-rine Football Club's clubhouse in South Marston after their ceremony at St Mary's Church in Lydiard Park.

And they hope to avoid any further dramas en route to their honeymoon which will be in Florida.

The Advertiser has tried contacting the pub, but has received no answer.

A visit to the venue found no-one there either the pub was shut with letters strewn across the doormat.

Pensioner Edward Todd, 67, of Harold Thorpe Gardens, said: "I used to enjoy a few of games of pool a couple of times a week.

"But since last Wednesday it seems to have been completely closed.

"It's all happened out of the blue and without any warning."