A HUDDERSFIELD couple are horrified at the prospect of their wedding being ruined - when the street outside the church is turfed over for an arts event on the same day.

Simon Roberts and Alexandra McMath will be faced with jugglers and salsa bands when they wed at Huddersfield Parish Church.

Now, they have held urgent talks about how their wedding cars will reach the church when Byram Street goes green.

Simon's disabled grandmother will face difficulties if vehicles are banned.

The street is being grassed over from September 20 to 22 to show how town centres can be transformed.

But the plan spells problems for Simon, 36, and accountant Alexandra, 26, who live in Salendine Nook.

Simon said: "We were horrified when we saw the story on the front page of the Examiner.

"It leaves us in a serious quandary, because we don't know to what extent traffic will be restricted around the church.

"We've got two Rolls-Royces arranged and we don't know how they're going to get there, or how the guests will manage.

"We're both very fraught and need some serious answers."

Simon has held talks with the event's organisers and they have promised to do what they can to help.

A stage will be erected in the street and it is hoped parking space outside the church can be arranged backstage.

Byram Street is going green in a Yorkshire Festival of Places, which also includes Halifax, Bridlington, Doncaster and Wakefield.

It is organised by regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward, which wants towns to re-think how they use their centres.

Simon, who works at the Textile Centre of Excellence in Leeds Road, Bradley Mills, added: "We've got 150 guests coming and a choir of 16. We don't know how they're going to cope.

"My grandmother, who is in her 90s, is confined to a wheelchair. The only way for her to get there is to be dropped off by the disabled taxi outside.

"We also don't know how the weekend of street entertainment will impact on the service."

Simon said: "This has cropped up out of nowhere. I'm not sure if they know the inconvenience this will cause.

"The event is going to be a splendid spectacle and I don't want to knock it too hard.

"But we're spending a lot of money on our wedding and want to make sure it's right."

A Kirklees Council spokes- woman said: "We are aware of the wedding and other events and activities taking place at the church.

"We aim to ensure that the interests of the church and local traders will be accommodated and will not be unduly affected by the event," the spokeswoman added.

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