A WEDDING fair with a dual purpose will take place at Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster, in the New Year.

Anyone planning a wedding will be able to get ideas and see the latest designs, and at the same time St Leonard's Hospice in York will receive all the fees from exhibitors.

The Wedding Fair, which will take place on Saturday, January 20, is the brainchild of Hazlewood's marketing manager, Sarah Hardcastle.

A bridal show by Anita Massarella, of Harrogate, will be accompanied by the Tadcaster Amateur Operatic Society singers.

A number of exhibitors, who will pay their booking fees to the hospice and not the hotel, have reserved a place, but hospice community fundraiser Judith Metcalfe would like more.

She said: "Planning a wedding fair is rather like planning a wedding itself.

"To date we have photographers, stationers, florists, wedding list services and hat hire agencies.

"It will be a wonderful occasion and there is so much space for everyone at Hazlewood."

Sarah Hardcastle said: "We are particularly pleased to donate the exhibitors' fees to St Leonard's as it is a very worthy cause. Our own St Leonard's Chapel here dates back more than seven centuries and it is such a special place for weddings."

If you are in the wedding business and would like to help St Leonard's and book a place at the fair telephone Judith Metcalfe at the St Leonard's Hospice fundraising centre on 01904 781576.

Updated: 12:13 Friday, December 07, 2001