Let my daughter wed

THIS third lockdown is particularly harsh for those like my daughter who want to get married.

After her dream wedding was cancelled last year, she decided to settle for the allowed 15 people only, either with or without a reception depending on the Tiers and lockdown in force at the time. Now they have been told by the registrar all weddings are cancelled unless one of the couple is terminally ill.

even if you have lived together for years, unless you have tied the knot, you have far fewer legal rights as a so-called common law spouse.

I’m not advocating big weddings and receptions should go ahead in a pandemic, but couples have lost heart after rearranging the date time after time and reducing the numbers, which upsets family members who are no longer invited.

Given we can still go to a supermarket full of strangers, why can’t a wedding be allowed with just the registrar, couple and two witnesses?

I’d be overjoyed to get a phone call

to say: ‘Mum, we’ve done it!’ The celebrations could wait until it is safe to do so. ANNIE JONES, West Mersea, Essex.