A countryside wedding venue has gone back on the market after the new owners lined up to take it on had to pull out of the sale.

Caldecott Hall Hotel in Fritton was taken over by a new team last November.

But Russell Sparkes, the businessman poised to snap up the hotel and its adjoining marquee, said he was no longer in a position to buy it and the team pulled out of the eight-bedroom venue in May.

Some future bookings have now been taken on by the firm that runs Caldecott Hall, the neighbouring golf complex and health spa.

And Mr Sparkes said all those with bookings had been contacted, with alternatives offered and deposits refunded where needed.

The businessman, who has managed scores of venues in his career, bought the leasehold for the hotel in November and planned to invest a total of £750,000 in the site.

He said: 'Unfortunately we weren't in a position to be able to buy the freehold as expected. We have had to contact everyone and let them know.

'Everyone who has paid a deposit down will get their money back.'

Laurence Gage, managing director of Sunningdale Investments Ltd - which runs Caldecott Hall - said his firm had also been in contact with some people who had bookings.

'The people that we knew had functions we offered, because of the circumstances, to take over and run those events, such as the Lynn Grove [High School] prom which is going ahead,' he added.

Mr Gage stressed the development at the hotel did not affect Caldecott Hall.

The hotel is back on the market and new buyers are hoped to move in in the next month or so.