A BRIDEGROOM experienced a sobering stag weekend after alcohol was banned due to a visit from the Pope.

Carl Smith, 23, from Bromley, jetted off to Krakow, Poland, with 18 friends without realising their visit coincided with the pontiff's.

The Polish government banned the sale of all alcohol for the entire four days of Pope Benedict's trip.

Carl said: "I couldn't believe it. We were all getting ready for three days of boozing and instead we've been playing chess in the market square.

"It may be cultural but it's not my idea of a stag do. I had coffee with some nuns. They were very nice but it's not exactly rock 'n' roll."

According to Polish police, the ban was put in place to maintain public order and as a mark of respect for the Pope.

Television adverts for alcohol were also banned, as were those for contraceptives, lingerie and tampons.