metal chandelier crashed to the floor.

The chandelier, the centrepiece of the hotel's main lobby, was being lowered yesterday morning so that staff could clean it.

It was about ten feet off the ground when it suddenly went plummeting to the floor.

General Manager Manfred Timmel said: "The important thing is that nobody was hurt, although we took all the precautions and made sure none of the guests were underneath when it was being lowered.'' SMASHING -- Southampton Princess staff and guests examine a massive chandelier which crashed to the ground in the hotel's lobby when it was being cleaned.

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