Bradford people have denied being tight-fisted when it comes to splashing out at weddings.

A new survey claims that Yorkshire folk are the meanest in the country when it comes to buying presents and clothes for marriages.

But Bradfordians say they're prepared to spend more than nowt at wedding celebrations.

The national research found that Yorkshire wedding guests spent a total of £235 on the couple in the form of presents, clothes, parties and accommodation - compared to a national average of £252.

But people in the wedding business in the city said that Yorkshire folk were just careful with their cash.

"We're not that tight-fisted at all," said Lisa Sharkey, who looks after the wedding list service at Sunwin House in Bradford.

"The most popular items are dinner services so people can buy as many items as they want.

"The cheaper items on the list do tend to be bought first but it depends on the people. "Sometimes big items like washing machines go straight away.

"Most guests seem to want to spend about £20 on a wedding present. It's not fair to call us stingy."

John Knighton, the owner of Royce Chauffeur Drive who hire out wedding cars, said: "I'd disagree completely with this survey and it's all a load of rubbish.

"Things in the southern part of the country are a lot dearer so they're bound to spend more.

"It's typical of Southerners to brand us as tight-fisted. People in Yorkshire do the best they can on less money and they do splash out for special occasions."

Alexis Jenner, who organises weddings and stag and hen nights at the Pennington Midland Hotel, said Yorkshire people were just careful with their money.

"Yorkshire people definitely like value for money but they're not tight-fisted." Janice Smith, the owner of Bridal Hire and Forever Yours in Clayton, said that it was unfair to stereotype Yorkshire people.

"I wouldn't call them mean, they just like value for money," she said.

"Our customers like value for money and they get what they can afford."

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