A BRIDE-TO-BE claims her wedding preparations went from sweet to sour after a mix-up by a Chinese restaurant.

Helen Birdsall is remarrying ex-husband Chris next week at York Register Office.

They divorced three years ago and had planned a low-key reception at the Jumbo restaurant in York to celebrate getting hitched for the second time.

A 30-seat table for family and friends was booked a month ago - but Helen has been unable to confirm the booking for August 26.

Alarm bells rang when Chris walked past the venue and found it empty, apparently undergoing a refurbishment.

Attempts to trace what is believed to be a new owner of the restaurant in George Hudson Street have so far drawn a blank.

Helen, 39, of Osbaldwick, said the mix-up was "outrageous".

She claims she has repeatedly called the venue without success and told the Evening Press: "Chris walked past and saw a sign that said 'Closed for two weeks, sorry for any inconvenience'.

"Apparently there is a new owner, but nobody called us and let us know.

"I explained to the lady who took the booking that my husband and I are getting remarried. I feel that if we had cancelled they would be charging us. They've got my number."

Helen said: "Getting back together was so romantic. All the families are happy, then this happens. It's outrageous.

"We only found out because my husband works in town and found it empty with shopfitters inside."

Despite attempts by the Evening Press to contact Jumbo over the last two days, nobody answered the phone at the restaurant.

A City of York Council spokesman said the authority's trading standards team would try to help Helen as much as possible.

In February, Jumbo was fined £10,500 with £660 prosecution costs by York magistrates over hygiene offences.

Updated: 11:04 Friday, August 20, 2004