Scores of customers will have to rearrange celebrations they planned to hold in the fire ravaged Chalkwell Park Rooms.

Early on Saturday morning, the popular function rooms in the Southend park were nearly destroyed, leaving proprietors Tracey<cor> and Chris Harris clutching thousands of pounds of deposit money.

Mr Harris said: "It's early days yet but if everything has to be knocked down, it could be July or August before I'm up and running again.

"One problem is that nobody can find any plans for the place and, if it has to be knocked down, planning permission will be needed."

Although his records were destroyed in the fire, he said he could remember the 2005 summer season was already booked.

Mr Harris said: "I think we hold about £12,000 in deposits. "We usually take about £200 deposit for functions and £10 a head for the party nights."

Weddings, party nights and private functions already booked will now have to be rearranged.

Mr and Mrs Harris face a wait of up to ten days before its insurance company delivers its verdict on the remains of the building.

But they have moved to reassure customers forced to cancel or rearrange booked events they will get their money back eventually.

She said: "In about two weeks, we hope to publish a contact number but we want to reassure customers that as long as they can produce receipts issued at the time of booking, they will get their money back."