A SEDGLEY bride-to-be was devastated when the company she paid £500 to cater for her wedding and dress the reception venue suddenly went bust five weeks before her big day.

Emma Tighe's perfect wedding was left hanging in the balance when Lisa Holt, owner of Halesowen based Bake a Cake Catering Services, announced on Facebook that the she had to cease trading due to "pressures of circumstances beyond our control".

Miss Tighe, who is due to marry her partner of 12 years, Stefan Windsor, at Dudley's Priory Hall on September 25, had handed over the cash for a two-tier wedding cake, hot food buffet for guests, chair covers and runners and centrepieces for tables for her reception at Sedgley's Ex-serviceman's Club.

She said: "I put down a deposit about six months ago and have paid weekly installments since then. I paid the last one on Friday (August 14) and had an email from Lisa, thanking me and saying she'd send out a new invoice.

"When I saw that post on Monday (August 17) I felt sick, words can't describe how I felt. We'd worked so hard to get everything together, £500 is a lot of money."

After being left in the lurch, a distressed Miss Tighe was desperate to add the finishing touches to her wedding without breaking the bank.

She contacted Sedgley Sweet Treats, explaining what had happened and asked for a quote for a new cake and was delighted to be told that under the circumstances, it could be provided free of charge.

The Hive florists in Tipton - who she had already booked her flowers with - has also come to the rescue, offering to provide table cloths, centre pieces and gems free of charge.

The 32-year-old was delighted with their generosity, adding: "I can't thank them enough."

Miss Tighe is just one of many disgruntled customers and a Facebook page set up to help people affected source other providers has attracted more than 2,300 people within days of being set up.

Trading Standards officers have been contacted and Action Fraud, a government agency that collates complaints from consumers who feel they’ve been ripped off, is also looking into the fiasco.

A statement Lisa Holt put on the company's website said: "It is with great regret and sadness we have to inform all our clients that we have now ceased trading "The pressures of circumstances beyond our control I am no longer able to trade.

"I deeply regret that I could not resolve the situation for the outstanding clients.

"I cannot apologise to you enough how my closure has affected you.

"I realise a lot of you require answers and refunds and I am trying my best to resolve this situation."