Real Housewives star Ann Kaplan Mulholland honours wedding bookings as new owner of Lympne Castle

A former TV star of reality show The Real Housewives has bought a historic castle in Kent saying she will honour all previous wedding bookings.

Ann Kaplan Mulholland is the new owner of the £11 million Lympne Castle, near Hythe.

Dozens of couples were left heartbroken when they were told by the previous owners that their upcoming nuptials were cancelled.

Last week, staff sent out emails to couples stating that their bookings could no longer be honoured due to the change of ownership.

A message was published on the Lympne Castle website informing people that the venue had been sold, all events have now been cancelled and a full refund will be issued to all customers.

The decision left many struggling to find an alternative location, with very little time left.

But multi-millionaire Ann Kaplan Mulholland says she and her husband, Dr Stephen Mulholland, intend to honour every wedding contract.

Ann Kaplan Mulholland said: "We actually just got the keys so we were in a very difficult situation where we couldn't respond because we actually hadn't bought the castle yet and those emails went out.

"But it was always that we were willing to take on all of the bookings, not make any changes, and just go ahead with every bride that wanted to continue.

"When we found out, we had to move fast because we hadn't even set up our emails or phone systems yet. We hadn't taken over the castle.

"I was upset, I'm married. I was upset that I saw that people were upset.

"We put into fast movement to be able to respond to whoever we could. We also gave a 20% discount to the existing brides for the price agreed before.

"We're going to give them all a big gift basket to try and move it to a feel good thing for them."

The couple say they will be renovating the venue, reopening the restaurant and will continue to host weddings at the venue in the future.

They will also be filming a docu-reality show at the castle focusing on the history of the building.

Ann added: "I think it's going to be great for Kent and for people that are living in the area. It won't be disruptive, it will be enhancing.

"We will work around any booked weddings so it won't be disruptive for people."