A JILTED bride, who was dumped by text message two weeks before the big day, refused to be crushed and instead went ahead with the planned reception – celebrating the new year instead of her wedding day.

Angela Burrow had booked Tylney Hall hotel, in Rotherwick, and paid for a wedding package costing around £5,000, so when her wedding plans fell through she decided to hold a party for family and friends.

She said she did not want the money to go to waste by cancelling so she went ahead with a different event.

Instead of her wedding reception, she held a ‘new year, new beginnings’ party for family and friends on New Year’s Eve at the venue.

Around 40 guests sat down to a seven-course meal at tables traditionally decorated for a wedding, with place names, orchids and blue bows on the backs of chairs.

The ex-army major dressed in her "full regimental mess kit" of a long blue navy dress, a scarlet jacket and her medal from serving in Iraq instead of a bridal gown.

Angela spent the night in the bridal suite, which she had planned to share with her new husband, with her 21-year-old daughter Heather instead.

The 52-year-old, from Chandler’s Ford, said it was a party about starting anew.

Angela, who plans to start up her own business in events organisation, said: “Life is too short and you have to live each day as if it’s going to be your last. Why not celebrate? – what I’m celebrating is the new year.

“I’m a glass half full person. My motto is everything happens for a reason.”

Mark Ashton, general manager of Tylney Hall, said he was delighted Angela had been able to celebrate the new year at the hotel.

He said: “We were very glad she was able to carry on and celebrate New Year’s Eve here with her friends and family, “We wish her all the very best for the future.”