ITALY: Preparations underway in the town of Bracciano the supposed Cruise Holmes wedding venue

There is rather a lot of agitation in the town of Bracciano - the site many are convinced will host the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes this weekend. Helicopters carrying media were ever present flying over the fifteenth century castle where guests including top Hollywood names are expected to congregate for the ceremony believed to be scheduled for Saturday (November 18). Workman frantically clean graffiti off walls in the medieval town centre and the mayor is almost constantly being called on for interviews by the many television crews already on site. Patrizia Riccione, the town's mayor says she has had no confirmation that the event will take place but is going ahead with plans as though it was. But she says nothing has moved at all along official channels. 'There are no marriage requests and therefore we just don't know. For us this wedding isn't happening on Saturday because from the point of view of a civil wedding we have no information at all,' said the Riccione. But with all the hedge clipping, roadwork and signs forbidding movement of traffic around town it is hard to believe it is all a horrible hoax. Certainly it will give the locals something to do at the weekend although many remain firmly unimpressed. 'Weddings are always welcome, but real ones not these silly ones' said pensioner Alfonso Gianni. Those in the know are remaining tight-lipped. 'Don't ask me anything because they will sack me - it's a secret' said the driver of a floral arrangements van as he entered the castle.

ITN Source | November 15, 2006

Tags:. .towns. .tom. .walls. .secret. .welcome