PREPARATIONS are now under way for the lavish wedding of England footballer Michael Owen.

The 25-year-old Real Madrid striker is due to tie the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Louise Bonsall, within days.

A giant marquee has been put up in the grounds of the couple's Grade II-listed mansion, in Flintshire, North Wales.

Workers were at the property yesterday, though, they remained tight-lipped as to when the nuptials were taking place.

Former Liverpool player Owen and his fiancee had wanted to marry at their palatial home, which is called Lower Soughton Hall.

But their plans were scuppered by the same rule which forced the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to change their wedding venue from Windsor Castle. Rules state that, if a licence is granted for a marriage ceremony to take place, then the building must be made available for other marriages for three years.

This would have opened the couple's home up to anyone who wished to marry there.

Owen and Bonsall will now marry at an alternative venue nearby, before returning to their home for a reception.

Wedding guests are rumoured to include a number of sporting superstars including Owen's Real Madrid team-mate David Beckham.

Banns posted at Mold County Hall for the wedding list nearby Soughton Hall Country House and the luxury De Vere Carden Park Country Hotel, near Chester, as potential venues. Carden Park, a four-star golf resort and spa, where a deluxe double room costs from £135, is close to Owen's childhood home in Hawarden, Flintshire.

Owen, a keen golfer, is said to be very familiar with the hotel's Jack Nicklausdesigned course.

Owen and former bank clerk Louise have known each other since primary school. They grew up in Hawarden, where Owen bought luxury homes for his parents and siblings.

The striker, who became an international household name in the 1998 World Cup, and his fiancee moved in to their mansion, near Northop, in 2001 and have a two-year-old daughter, Gemma Rose.

Owen held his stag night in Las Vegas, where he was joined by his former Liverpool team-mates Jamie Carragher and Didi Hamann.

Kenny Dalglish's son, Paul, 28, Michael's father Terry, 53, and brother Andy, 35, were also part of the group.

Owen, who scored a hat-trick in England's 3-2 win over Columbia, is bidding to become the first England player to score 50 goals.