A Poole café has been branded “insensitive” after it refused to return a £500 deposit for a wedding celebration, cancelled after the mother-of-the-bride was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Alistair Macrae and his new wife saw their world turned upside-down when their family member was given the shocking news weeks before their big day.

The couple faced an agonising decision – but went ahead and married at the beginning of June at a paired-down ceremony for close family, to ensure they could share the precious moment with their loved one.

But, with her life still hanging in the balance after surgery, the party they planned for some 100 guests at the Jazz Café at Sandbanks at the end of June was out of the question.

They couple cancelled with more than a month’s notice – explaining the harrowing events behind the decision.

But they claim they were met with a lack of communication.

They say eventually they were offered £350 back – minus £150 for administration. They refused the offer.

Poole Catering Ltd, which runs the café, has now rescinded the offer, refusing to return any of the money.

While the newlyweds accept the deposit was non-refundable, they told the Daily Echo they were shocked by the company’s attitude.

Alistair said: “At the end of the day it’s not about the £500 – my mother-in-law is more important than anything – but it’s the lack of correspondence, the lack of courtesy, the lack of sensitivity. It’s been shocking – they’ve shown absolutely no compassion.”

Jane Jones, of JJ PR and Events, representing the owner, said she had “every sympathy with the shocking situation” but reiterated that “from day one all parties understood that a £500 non-refundable deposit formed party of the contract in order to move the booking forward”.

She added: “I feel my clients have been more than generous offering £350 back as there was much admin work carried out by my office prior to this unfortunate cancellation.”