SEVERAL couples who had weddings planned at the fire-hit Allerton Castle, near Knaresborough, have cancelled and gone elsewhere, despite urgent arrangements to fulfil bookings.

"But the brave and loyal are sticking with us," said a spokesman for the stately home.

It is a popular venue for weddings and corporate events and managers are desperate not to disappoint wedding couples who have booked the castle for their big day.

The blaze, thought to have started as a chimney fire, destroyed several historic rooms including the dining room, said to have contained the finest wooden carvings outside the Houses of Parliament.

Harrogate Register Office is, in principal, willing to carry out small civil ceremonies in the drawing room and larger ceremonies in the ballroom, once the Health and Safety Executive gives its authorisation.

"All other elements of the wedding celebrations would then take place in a marquee within the castle grounds," added the spokesman.

"We have nominated a marquee contractor to provide a high specification marquee within the grounds, which can accommodate wedding receptions."

All customers who had booked an event during the next two years have been contacted.

Meanwhile, the owner of the castle, American millionaire Dr Gerald Rolfe, has stated his intention of restoring the castle to its former glory.