THOUSANDS of wedding guests have been left stranded after receivers were called in at a top hotel.

The news came as fraud squad detectives launched an investigation into an allegation of financial irregularities made against an accountant involved with Scaitcliffe Hall.

Receivers have been called in at the Todmorden grade two listed building where more than 60 wedding receptions are booked.

And West Yorkshire police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation made against David Edgar, an accountant connected with the hall.

The allegation relates to Mr Edgar's conduct as accountant at an unconnected business, Walsden Printing of Todmorden. Mr Edgar is currently in hospital in Italy.

A police spokesman today said: "I can confirm that an allegation of financial irregularities has been made against an individual at Walsden Printing.

"The matter is now being investigated by the fraud squad. The individual concerned is also connected with Scaitcliffe Hall.

"The individual has not yet been questioned and there is no warrant out for his arrest." The parent company of Walsden, Leeds Group plc, issued a statement which said funds at "one of the company's UK subsidiaries" had been "misappropriated, possibly over an extended period."

"There is no evidence, at present, that this fraud will have any adverse affect on the company's financial position," the statement added

No-one answered the telephone at Scaitcliffe and the premises were closed.

Receiver Angus Martin, at the Leeds office of accountants Deloitte and Touche, said: "I have been appointed receiver by the Yorkshire Bank which has put a charge on the property under the Law of Property Act.

"It is early days and we cannot say what is going to happen as yet until we have developed a strategy."

Soon to be married Rossendale couple Sarah Goulding and Ashley Elliott, from Weir, said they got a phone call on Monday from the hotel.

Sarah said: "They told us the hotel's assets had been frozen and they did not know if they were going to be able to hold our reception.

"We went out to Scaitcliffe and we were told to contact the Hall's solicitors. We have written a letter to say we want all our money back because they have done nothing for us."

Sarah and Ashley said they had already paid the hotel £1,300 for their afternoon and evening receptions which cost more than £17 a head.

The Oaks Hotel, Reedley, has stepped in to ensure the couple's wedding plans will go-ahead and other hotels are also offering to help couples out.

Earlier this month it was announced that a new hotel group Pendlebury Hotels Ltd, which Mr Edgar was said to be behind, had taken over Scaitcliffe.

The company was said to be spending about £3 million on conversions to Scaitcliffe and Thurland Castle at Kirkby Lonsdale. Mr Martin confirmed his company had also been appointed receiver for those premises.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said today Mr Edgar had been admitted to hospital in Italy.

She said: "His wife has instructed us not to discuss details of the case with anyone but herself. I understand she is still in England.

"Officials from the English Consulate have visited Mr Edgar in hospital and they are in close touch with his family."

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