A VENUE said staff are “enormously relieved” to be able to hosts weddings without restrictions again.

Under the new guidance there are no longer limits on how many people can attend weddings ceremonies or receptions.

Nicholas Charrington, owner of Layer Marney Tower near Colchester, said Freedom Day has been a long time coming after multiple changes to restrictions over the past 18 months.

The new rules mean restrictions on table service, singing and dancing no longer apply.

Mr Charrington said: “We are enormously relieved and so are the couples. For some of them it’s the third or fourth time and finally it looks like it’s going to happen.

“Having had 15 and then 30 people allowed and then the indoors and the outdoors, having a little bit of certainty is welcome.

“For the couples’ point of view it takes a lot of stress away.

“We aren’t 1000 per cent certain there won’t be any future changes but there seems like there is a real keenness to stick to the plan.”

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Layer Marney Tower is a popular destination for weddings, events and tours, which Mr Charrington said helped them cover costs when weddings couldn’t take place.

He added guests were walking around yesterday with and without masks.

He said: “I think the fact the weather has improved has also made it easier.

“Come August we are pretty booked up until the end of October when it dies down a bit, but we still have lots of events on.

“Even if there another winter lockdown I think people hope that by next year that will be it and everyone will be vaccinated and back to normal.

“People are coming to terms with living with it.

“Luckily we are still here, and we are still going and that’s not the case for everyone.”