A couple have been left stunned after offers to donate luxury food from their wedding were turned down a dozen homeless charities.

Rick Webber, 31, and Penny Griffin, 22, feared plate-loads of their wedding lunch would go to waste after ten guests said they could not make the event tomorrow.

The couple, of Grove Hill, Brighton, then contacted a host of charities in a bid to pass on food. But the organisations, including national and Brightonbased outfits such as St Patrick’s night shelter in Cambridge Road, Hove, rejected the donations.

Most cited health and safety and fears they would be liable if anyone fell ill as the reason.

The couple are now appealing for another charity to come forward and take advantage of the soup, bangers and mash, carvery, lasagne, fresh fruit, banoffee pie and profiteroles on the menu.

The wedding will be held at the Old Ship Hotel, King’s Road, Brighton.

Mr Webber said: “This is not a supermarket dumping unsold, out-of-date sandwiches. This is high-quality fresh meat, fish and vegetables, prepared and cooked to a high standard in one of the city’s best hotels.

“This is food which will simultaneously be served to over 80 guests expecting a delicious wedding feast.

“Shall I tell my guests, as they tuck in, that although I hope they enjoy their meal I’m afraid it wasn’t good enough for hungry, homeless people and in fact is better in landfill than given away?”

Sandie Foster, the head of fundraising at the Lorica Trust, which runs St Patrick’s Homeless shelter, said charities could not take the risk of accepting cooked food.

She said: “We would like to say thank you very much to the couple and sorry we cannot help, but we cannot accept the offer for health and safety reasons.

If anyone falls ill, we will be responsible.

“We are on a fundraising drive at the moment so if, anyone would like to make a monetary donation, that be gratefully accepted.”

To donate to St Patrick’s, visit www.lorica.org.uk, and if you are a charity and would like to take the leftover wedding food, please contact Mr Webber on 07967 822725.