by Alex Claridge

aclaridge@thekmgroup.co.uk

When a happy couple come to reflect in later years on their wedding day, they might point out that it was held on the same day as the future king of England.

They might also point out that they bought the wedding for knock-down price on internet auction site eBay.

Canterbury’s Abbots Barton Hotel in New Dover Road is offering a wedding on April 29, the day of Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton, for a starting price of £1,999.

Janice Whatton is the hotel’s sales and events manager and says the idea for an eBay auction came up after they heard of another hotel doing a similar thing.

“We were thinking of ways to boost our wedding business and this came up a good idea for something fun and a bit different,” she said.

“It’s also a way of offering people something special in a grand venue for a lower price.

“And if it proves successful, we will look at doing other similar things in the future.”

The successful bidders will win the equivalent of one of its full-cost wedding packages which includes hospitality arrangements for up to 50 people during the day including meals and drinks.

It also includes a disco and buffet in the evening for up to 80 people plus a double room for the bride and groom and room hire options for other guests.

The auction price does not include a marriage ceremony, however the hotel is licensed to carry out civil ceremonies for an extra £395 subject to availability.

The Abbots Barton Hotel dates back to 1830 when it was built as a private house on a farm before it became a hotel in 1927.

It has since expanded to 53 rooms with a restaurant for 70 people and four function rooms.