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Echo wins wedding refund for grieving family

A regional daily newspaper has helped win a victory for a grieving family who had to cancel a wedding after the bride-to-be died.

The Northern Echo ran a story about how a hotel had not refunded £2,000 paid by local couple Annette Bainbridge and Paul Teece – despite her dying of an asthma attack six months before their planned wedding.

Editor Peter Barron wrote an editorial calling for the hotel to refund the money and the story was also followed up by national papers.

Just days later, the Judges Country House Hotel, near Yarm, agreed to refund the money, apologised to the family and made a £250 donation to an asthma charity.

Peter wrote in his blog: “Despite the tragedy, the hotel initially asked for a £1,500 cancellation fee. That was later waived, but the £2,000 paid up front by the couple was not refunded because they had not taken out wedding insurance.

“The Northern Echo’s story about the dispute was followed up by the national papers and I wrote an editorial asking for the hotel to review its position.

“I’m delighted to say that it has now done so. The money will be refunded, a contribution made to an asthma charity, and an apology issued.

“Sense has prevailed and that’s good news all round.”

Ms Bainbridge, 35, had been due to marry Paul Teece, 36, on 5 November, but died following an asthma attack on May 29.