Bosses at one of Kent's smallest castles have seen wedding bookings rocket by 60 per cent since X Factor host Dermot O'Leary held his reception there.

Chiddingstone Castle, near Tonbridge, which is run as an independent trust with no public funding, relies on income from weddings, tourist admissions and its small tea room to preserve an eclectic collection of exhibits.

But since September, when X Factor host Dermot and bride Dee Koppang held their wedding reception at the castle, wedding bookings have soared.

The couple took their vows in the village church of St Mary's and guests included James Corden, Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton.

Castle director, Ali Ditzel said weddings bookings had risen by 60 per cent since the celebrity wedding. Feedback had shown that couples had been especially attracted by seeing the exclusivity and privacy of the castle, which stands in 35 acres and can be entirely closed to the public to allow complete privacy for weddings.

She said: "The castle has seen a 60% increase in weddings bookings in a year. Like Dee and Dermot, brides love the fact that the venue allows the wedding party to have exclusive use of the castle for the whole day without other weddings, or other visitors, also sharing the venue.”

The castle is to hold its first ever weddings fair, on Sunday, June 2, from 11am to 5pm. For more information on the wedding fair see www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk