A DEVASTATED couple's wedding has been cancelled four days before the ceremony in a mix up over a divorce document.

Joan Bennett, aged 70, and John Jones, aged 75, say they were only asked for a decree absolute four days before the ceremony but were unable to find it.

However, the vicar of Little Malvern Priory, Canon Eric Knowles said the couple had not arranged for their banns to be read in church three weeks before the service, so he arranged for a common licence, which required the missing document.

The wedding had been a beacon of hope for Joan Bennett, after a recent health scare.

She fears Mr Jones's cancer has returned despite him appearing to have made a full recovery.

The couple do not have plans to reorganise the wedding as they now wish to focus on Mr Jones's health, after doctors found a shadow on his kidney but they went ahead with wedding reception as guests had come from all over the world.

Barbara Taylor, Ms Bennett’s 46-year-old daughter, said: “They found a shadow on his kidney before they found out the wedding was cancelled.

“When they had that news they wanted this wedding to go ahead. It was something to look forward to.

“They now have to sort out the cancer. John is mortified and terrified. He has to await the results. It’s highly likely he has got cancer back.”

Ms Bennett, of Upton, said she was surprised to have been asked for the decree absolute because it is usually asked for when the wedding is booked.

She said Rev canon Knowles visited Ms Bennett’s home on October 3 and told her the wedding could not go ahead.

Despite the blow, the couple went ahead with their wedding reception at Upton Marina.

Ms Bennett says it was not only emotionally painful but also financially costly, as she spent £700 on her dress and £1,200 on the honeymoon.

Their honeymoon in Majorca has since been cancelled and they are not likely to receive a refund.

Ms Bennett, who is an Anglican, says she has lost her faith in vicars and will never go to worship again.

Her daughter said: “My mum’s being waiting for the big white wedding. She’s waited 28 years for him to propose.

“To have this massive blow, it’s just devastating for them.”

Rev canon Knowles, vicar of Little Malvern Priory, said: “It was with sadness that I learned that John and Joan had decided to cancel their wedding.”

The vicar said he explained that ‘Banns’ had to be read in the church three weeks before the wedding took place.

He added that the couple had not made these arrangements in their parish church and so he arranged a common licence to be raised.

The vicar added that Mr Jones was unable to find his 'decree absolute' which was needed for a common licence.

“I am ready and very willing to conduct the wedding as soon as this documentation can be found,” he said.

“I hope I will be able to conduct their wedding in the very near future.”