RESTAURANT bosses have had to cancel wedding and Christening parties after a row over a huge marquee which neighbours branded an "Indian Reservation."

Planning officials have now ordered the De Tabley restaurant, near Ribchester, to remove the 27metre-long tent, pictured right, which it erected without permission.

And Ribble Valley councillors last night voted to take enforcement action unless the 4.5metre structure, erected last December, is removed within the next 10 days.

Today restaurant manager Sara Cooper said she was aware permission was needed for the marquee but had been 'let down' by a third party asked to look into planning issues on her behalf.

Coun Joyce Holgate said: "The main objection that people have is that it is not in keeping with a rural area like the Ribble Valley. I have received several letters about it, one of which said if we allowed this marquee to remain we would soon have Ribble Valley's own Indian Reservation. Some could think it looks like a giant wig-wam!

"Also, noise from a marquee carries over a large area and people were telling me they could hear it from a long distance."

Members of the council's planning committee had expected to consider an application from De Tabley, Ribchester Road, for retrospective planning permission to maintain the marquee for 12 months.

But the restaurant withdrew this application after nearby residents, as well as Dutton Parish Council, objected to the plans.

Residents sent 16 letters of objection, citing noise nuisance from music and the detrimental appearance of the white wedding-style marquee.

Ms Cooper said she never wanted to offend local people.

She explained: "We bought it so we could hold functions like weddings and Christenings outside. It was never meant to be used for young people, but for more elderly people.

"People pretty soon started saying it was an eyesore. It is quite large, but there are bigger ones around and I think it looks nice enough.

"It's out the back in a field so I suppose it can be seen from quite a distance. Since the complaints started we haven't really used it.

"I don't think it's been used for a month because we are trying our best to appease people.

"Unfortunately it now means we've had to cancel a couple of weddings and a Christening. They specifically wanted a marquee so they cancelled and are now going elsewhere.

"I'm not angry at the residents, more at ourselves for letting this happen. We will be taking it down as soon as we can."

o The restaurant was owned by Blackburn pub boss Margo Grimshaw before being sold in 2002.