dresses and formal suits following the closure of rental and retail outfit Elegant Store.

The Front Street store has been closed for business following the death of its owner Mr. Manuel Leitao in early September.

Mr. Leitao, aged 57, was found dead in early September at his home on Harbour Road, Paget.

It is understood that an executor was appointed on Friday to administer Mr.

Leitao's estate.

Miss Suzanne Davis of the consumer affairs bureau warned brides and grooms who had ordered or rented bridal wear from Elegant Store to make other arrangements.

"Nobody can tell whether it will be tomorrow or years before there is any progress,'' said Miss Davis.

She said Elegant Store was not a limited liability company and was registered in Mr. Leitao's name.

According to Miss Davis, Mr. Leitao's family was estranged and no one had yet come forward to claim the estate.

"It is very strange no member of the family has volunteered to take charge of the estate,'' said Miss Davis. "The next stage may be that a creditor will force the situation by demanding money and the estate may go into bankruptcy,'' she said.

The landlord for Elegant Store is Mr. Jay Riihiluoma. "The family should be stepping in to take care of the store's customers,'' said Mr. Riihiluoma.

Miss Davis said she had been unable to trace any family or friends connected with Mr. Leitao and did not know who had locked the store or placed a sign stating that the store was closed for business in the window.

She said the store had frequently been closed before Mr. Leitao's death and customers had reported that obtaining clothes from the store had been a problem.

The Tuxedo Shop on North Shore and Carl's Guys and Dolls in the Boyle building reported an increase in demand for bridal wear after the closure of Elegant Store.

Ms Betty Grant, owner of bridal wear stocklist Special Occasions, said she was consulting a few couples with imminent weddings, who had hired or ordered bridal wear from Elegant Store.

"It's a terrible situation,'' said Ms Grant. "I am looking at how we can solve these people's problems. One bride knows her outfit is at Elegant and has all her receipts, but no one is able to locate the store key,'' she said.