STAFF at a popular wedding venue which has reportedly closed its doors say the company running the site has "commenced liquidation proceedings".

Staff at Prested Hall, in Feering, have told the Gazette they were no longer needed to work last week.

Visitors to a planned wedding fair at the hall were left scratching their heads when they arrived and found the venue closed at the weekend.

The hotel's website confirmed the wedding fair had been postponed but no reason was given.

Customers hoping to book an event at the hotel are being greeted with an "Oops! That page can't be found" message.

When a reporter visited the hotel on Tuesday they found the building closed and blinds drawn.

It is understood the health club, gym and spa on site all remain open.

Attempts by the Gazette to contact the firm via phone, email and Facebook have gone unanswered.

A snippet of a letter reportedly sent to staff members, seen by the Gazette, reads: "The Board of Directors at the above company, having regard to its financial position, have decided to commence liquidation proceedings in order that the company should be wound up voluntarily.

"The firm has been instructed by the board of directors to seek a nomination from the company's creditors on the appointment of a liquidator."

A former employee, who asked not to be named, said she was made redundant without warning last Tuesday.

"I received a phone call on my day off at 9am from our accountant, saying Prested Hall has ceased trading effective immediately and I was to be made redundant," she said.

"I was told I needed to go in and collect all my belongings before the arrival of whoever was called in to value everything."

The former employee said around 16 weddings were planned at the venue for next year, with a similar number booked for 2024.

She had been approached over social media by couples with weddings booked for the coming weeks.

"I was contacted by someone who was supposed to be getting married there at the beginning of October, asking what's going on as they hadn't heard from me," she said.

"I was absolutely devastated.

"I'm really sad for the people who are trying to contact me to find out what is going on, because they are not getting any information from Prested Hall."

The partner of one staff member told the Gazette staff had been told they were no longer needed.

They said: "They didn't tell their staff they were closing until the morning when they showed up for work then immediately got sent home.

"They had a wedding fair planned [on Sunday] which loads of people turned up for to find the venue is closed."

Several worried parties took to social media and review site Tripadvisor to voice their concerns.

The 15th Century manor house uses its hall and 14 bedrooms to cater to corporate events, parties and weddings.