A POPULAR wedding venue has suspended all bookings after a traumatic burns incident during a reception.

One wedding guest was left needing skin grafts after sustaining severe burns during a celebration at Nurstead Court manor house.

The unnamed guest suffered burns to her legs after her dress caught fire on a portable heater brought in to keep guests warm following a power cut at the grade one listed building in Meopham.

It is believed the woman – in her early 20s – was standing close to the heater when her clothing went up in flames. She also sustained burns to her hands while trying to extinguish the flames.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Her dress caught fire from a heater."

Family-owned Nurstead Court, which is used all year round for functions, says it is not hosting any events until additional risk assessments have been done in conjunction with the fire brigade.

Owner Guy Edmeades-Stearns said the family had been left extremely distressed by the incident, which happened at around 7pm on December 17.

He said Nurstead Court, a family-run estate set in 400 acres, already had all the relevant paperwork but wanted to go over everything with fire brigade safety officers to ensure nothing like this happened again.

He said: "They have given me forms and things I have to do. It is a matter of just making sure we identify fire risks. We are very distressed about it and want to do the right thing."

He understands the woman has had two skin grafts on her legs and is expected to make a good recovery.