Brangelina Como No Show

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ignited a media frenzy in Italy over the weekend when rumours spread that they would wed at Lake Como.

Speculation has been rife as to whether Brangelina would finally tie the knot at pal George Clooneys lake-side pad, although Clooney has repeatedly denied this. Over the weekend things came to a head when the mayor claimed that she had been asked to remain on standby for a mystery official function in the evening.

Mayor Simona Saladini also suggested that local police were on alert and security had been increased around Clooneys home " although she refused to be drawn on who had told her to be on standby. The worlds press and hundreds of local fans packed the shores hoping for a glimpse of the stars " but the closest they got was when two men dressed as the couple kissed by the lake side.

But despite the no-show it was boom-time for the area with hotel prices sky-rocketing, restaurants packed and fishermen renting their boats out to photographers for extortionate amounts at a time that is usually low-season in the region.

The local police have now denied that they were ever on high alert.

JH