FURIOUS brides-to-be say they are thousands of pounds out of pocket following the collapse of a West End bridal firm.

Norma Ann Photography, based in Park Road, shut its doors on Monday after HMRC called in liquidators.

The company, which has been running for 35 years, blamed increased competition in the wedding photography market for dwindling sales.

The firm, run by sisters Aria and Naomi Gaughan, told the Evening Times that ALL their customers had paid deposits using credit cards and would be entitled to reclaim the money.

However, at least three brides-to-be told us they had paid using debit cards and will be unable to recoup the cash.

They are also furious that payments were still being taken as late as last week and promotions listed on the firm's website when the company was days from closing down.

Dianna Viola, 28, from Royston, is getting married on March 7.

She paid an initial deposit of £400 by Switch and then paid a further £550 by credit card at the end of August.

She said: "Naomi Gaughan booked an appointment for me to come in and speak to her on September 13 to discuss picking my album.

"I then received a letter on September 3 informing me they are no longer able to photograph my wedding.

"I can only conclude that she was gathering as much money as possible before closing the doors.

"I work for a chartered accountancy firm. The HMRC can't just close a business down. They would have given the firm 70-90 days and a payment plan."

Another bride-to-be, who lost £300 after paying her deposit by debit card, said "most people" paid in cash, adding: "Some have lost thousands."

A spokeswoman for the firm, who told the Evening Times she was the aunt of Naomi Gaughan, said: "Every- one paid by credit card and we have been reassured by the companies that they will get their money back.

"Everything is frozen. We don't have the funds to pay insolvency practitioners. There are no funds to pay customers back."