THE newlyweds forced to abandon their wedding reception because of a bomb hoax at a football stadium spoke of their anger last night.

Paul and Debbie Carroll, of Branksome Terrace, Darlington, were celebrating their marriage when a hoaxer made a bomb threat at the Williamson Motors Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

They and their 47 guests were told to leave the reception while police investigated the threat.

The wedding party was evacuated along with 6,000 football fans who were watching Darlington play Middlesbrough in a testimonial match for long-serving Quakers captain Craig Liddle.

Mr and Mrs Carroll had married earlier at Cockerton Methodist Church.

Mrs Carroll said: "I was totally shaken up and couldn't catch my breath.

"I couldn't believe this was happening to me and Paul on our wedding day.

"But there wasn't anything that could be done when it happened.

"I just hope they catch the person who did it and they get put away.

"It was very frightening and it is a nasty thing to do - especially with things that have been happening recently."

When Mr and Mrs Carroll booked the stadium's function room for their wedding reception, the testimonial match had not been planned.

But they are keeping mementos of the eventful day and have laminated Press cuttings of the evacuation.

Mrs Carroll said the reception finished successfully and they were looking forward to their honeymoon in Cyprus.

After spending about half an hour waiting for police to decide that the stadium was safe, they were allowed to return and continue the celebrations.

Mrs Carroll said: "We hadn't even done the speeches when it was announced. But the staff there were excellent.

"The club gave Paul a signed ball.

"He's a massive football fan - he supports Manchester United but goes to watch Darlington quite a bit, so he appreciated that.

"I am sure it is something we will look back on and laugh at in years to come."