A WEDDING business in Teesside is closing because of the coronavirus.

Ormesby Hall, in Middlesbrough, said it had contacted couples due to get married there.

The National Trust, which owns the Georgian property, said it expected to lose about £200m as a result of the pandemic.

The mansion, which was home to the Pennyman family for 200 years,  has hosted weddings for a number of years.

In a statement from the wedding team, it said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closure of the weddings business at Ormesby Hall.

“All our couples have been contacted and supported.

“We have loved working with each and every one of our couples over the years and want to thank you for choosing us and supporting the National Trust and in particular Ormesby Hall.

“Coronavirus has affected almost every aspect of the Trust's income and we expect to lose almost £200m as a result of the pandemic.

"As part of our work to ensure the charity is sustainable for the future, unfortunately we’ve had to reduce our operational costs and as a result reduce our staff structure and following that we have proposed to reopen a small number of our places in a different form.

“In a time where businesses are changing to adapt to what is fast becoming the new normal we have listened to our local community and we want to offer both our hall and gardens as a full visitor operation meaning we will be unable to continue to offer the current weddings and events function.

“We will continue to look after the places that people love and are confident that these measures will ensure the trust can keep bringing people closer to nature, beauty and history long into the future.”