A BLUSHING bride who was struck down with norovirus along with 70 of her wedding guests says she won’t let it taint the memories of her special day.

Scores of people from two wedding parties contracted the virus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, after celebrating weddings at the Marsham Court Hotel last weekend.

After news of the outbreak came to light, bosses at the Bournemouth hotel closed the doors and brought in deep-cleaning experts. The popular venue has now reopened.

Mandy Legg from Poole tied the knot with her partner John at the hotel last Friday.

The 45-year-old said: “We had around 120 people there in the evening. It was a wonderful day. The hotel staff were brilliant and the food was lovely. It was everything that we wanted.

“Then it came to light the next day that some people had been poorly.

“At first we thought it was food poisoning but then we were all dropping like flies.”

She said around 70 of her guests, as well as her and her children, became unwell in the days following the wedding.

“It’s lucky we didn’t go on honeymoon,” she said.

The mother-of-three praised the owners of the hotel for the way they had dealt with the outbreak.

“It’s just one of those unfortunate things," she said.

"I don’t blame the hotel. There is nothing they could have done about it. They did us proud on the day.”

Rosie Wallace, director at Marsham Court Hotel, said the hotel was due to open as usual yesterday following a professional deep clean.

She added: "This has been a distressing time for everyone involved but particularly those guests who were taken ill. We have been overwhelmed and touched by messages of support from not just past and present guests but also fellow hoteliers.

"On behalf of all the team at the Marsham Court Hotel I would like to place on record my gratitude for the sympathy and understanding shown during this very difficult time."