A BRIDAL store is offering half-price gowns to brides who will not see their wedding dresses following the closure of a store in Darwen.

Last month Janet Pettitt, owner of Special by Design, Railway Road, Darwen, was declared bankrupt.

The shop was closed on November 17 as a result and assets were seized by auctioneers Walton and Walton Salesroom, based in Kingsway and Bank Parade, Burnley.

The Wedding People, Blackburn Road, Church, heard about the closure and have decided to offer half price wedding and bridesmaid dresses to anyone who has been affected.

Dresses which had already been made by Janet Pettitt are expected to be given to their owners.

But those whose dresses had not been made face a fight to get any money back and will have no gowns.

Yvonne Simon, 34, manageress at The Weddign People, said: "We are trying put to bride's minds at rest."