The owner of a bridal wear shop who stopped trading without any warning has been forced into hiding after her pet dogs were allegedly kidnapped and she was threatened in her home by a band of brides that she left high and dry without wedding gowns.

Arvella Brides of Lyndhurst in Hampshire closed suddenly last week leaving furious brides in the lurch and out of pocket. Hampshire police were called to disband a number of irate couples who had visited the premises but found it locked up with whitened out windows.

Troubled proprietor Lisa Clarkson held failing market conditions and lack of support from suppliers responsible and declared that she did not consider that she was to blame. She has since publicly apologised to customers who have been affected by the closure, announcing that whilst the situation was unfortunate, it was unintentional. Clarkson rejected claims that she had knowingly taken cash for orders which she was already aware would not be fulfilled.

However a report uploaded on the Companies House website proves that Arvella Brides neglected to present its financial records when they were expected in January 2008.

A number of dejected clients recently made contact with the BBC, with a relative of one a distressed bride-to-be reporting that they had contacted the dress designers after the closure of the store who had verified that they had not even received the order for the gown in question, even thought Arvella Brides had taken full payment for the dress sometime before.

An estimated 50 bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and various other wedding accessories have been generously donated to a charity shop in Southport, Merseyside recently.

An unknown benefactor deposited the gowns at the British Red Cross shop, every one meticulously arranged on a mannequin and with prices still fixed on them. The Red Cross has resolved to conduct a wedding exhibition, running from July 5th through until July 12th, with an evening opening on July 10th until 8.00pm in order to sell the items.

The wedding gowns will carry price tags in the region of £100 each and are presented in a choice of styles and UK sizes ranging from 10 up to 16. The majority of the bridesmaids’ dresses are available in children’s sizes and come in an assortment of colours. The bridal accessories on offer include tiaras, veils and a variety of jewellery items.

The Manager of the Charity Store claimed that the donation just came unexpectedly and without any warning. She expressed her extreme gratitude to the anonymous contributor, declaring that the donation would permit the charity to raise many thousands of pounds for the British Red Cross.

Red Cross charity shops are entirely dependent on contributions and donations from the public to elicit funds to in order to assist those at risk or in need across the UK and overseas. DVD’s, clothing, books, unwanted gifts, home wares and even used textiles such as curtains or linen can all be sold for cash which in turn funds the British Red Cross.