PRINCE William and Kate Middleton are busy preparing for their grand spring wedding and happy couples in Suffolk can also start planning their own royal day.

Brides can now take centre stage at the Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, which has launched itself as a wedding venue.

Paul Pearce-Couch, a spokesman for the Regency playhouse, said he had already had interest and a positive response.

He said: “It is the perfect place to get married, as it is such an evocative building.

“If you are a theatre lover, then it is perfect.”

Brides and grooms can be stars of their own show in the lavish auditorium, which was recently restored thanks to a �5.3million campaign.

Mr Pearce-Couch said the theatre had decided to hold weddings and civil partnerships to help generate income in cash-strapped times.

He added: “All theatres are facing difficult times and we have got to diversify.

“It is pointless having the theatre sitting empty between shows. We have got to be more inventive and discover new revenue streams.”

Staff at the theatre are bracing themselves for stringent funding cuts from Arts Council England, which plans to slash its budget by 29.6% as part of the current spending review.

The Theatre Royal is expected to lose �9,456 from its budget.

To launch its new venture, a wedding fayre will be held at the theatre on Sunday, January 23.

Caterers, designer fashion, flowers, stationary and jewellery will be available at the inaugural event, which will run between 11am and 4pm.

Entry is free and parking is available in the Greene King car park at the back of the theatre.

For more information, call the theatre on 01284 769505.