A CASH-strapped couple from Winsford sparked a social media backlash after launching a crowd-funding campaign – to pay for their wedding.

‘Jessica’s and Aaron’s wedding’ launched on the popular crowd-funding website GoFundMe on January 10 by Jessica Francesca Mercer, who is believed to be from Winsford.

The campaign description stated the ‘registry office isn’t for us, the bigger the better’ and that the smitten pair wanted to ‘seal our love with a day to remember’.

It said: “We’re only going to get married once so why not go all out and make it magical? Any donations would be appreciated, big or small.

“People go on here and ask for boob jobs and people donate so why can’t we for our wedding?

“It would complete our family knowing we’ve sealed our love with a day to remember for the rest of our lives.”

The campaign failed to spark the interest of the general public, and eight days later it drew the public’s wrath after it began circulating on Facebook.

Speaking in the comments section of the GoFundMe Page, Angie Morrey said: “This is a sick joke right? If it’s about marriage, you would do it any which way you could.

“I worked six day weeks for my wedding. Save a percentage and stop being lazy.”

Furious commenters posted a barrage of abuse – most of which isn’t suitable for printing.

Alan King took a more tactful approach, pointing out that a wedding is ‘about you and the person you love, not how much money it costs you’.

He said: “A £500 wedding can be as special as a £50,000 wedding as long as you’re happy. Who cares how much it costs?”

Alicia May Shaw suggested the love-struck pair apply for the hit TV show, Don’t Tell the Bride.

Despite such a furore over the campaign, Jessica initially remained defiant.

Speaking on her Facebook page, which has now been deleted or made private, she said: “I will save up for my own wedding. I’ll get a loan.

“But in the meantime if I want a GoFundMe page I’ll have one.”

She later posted: “Another status haha. Keep sharing it guys, love being the centre of attention.”

However the campaign was eventually deleted around 5.30pm on January 18.

The campaign did receive one back however, an anonymous backer pledged their support with a generous offer of… £5.