CHESHIRE is fast becoming the wedding capital of the UK with more locations for civil ceremonies per head of the population than anywhere else in the country.

Stately homes, castles and luxury hotels attract couples from as far afield as London and the South East as well as this region.

Last year, the county hosted a record breaking 2,544 civil weddings - the highest number since Cheshire became one of the first local authorities to introduce the alternative to religious ceremonies in 1995.

More than 100 buildings are now registered to host these marriages - more than any other local authority in the North West and the highest number for a county of its size in the UK.

Vanessa Griffiths, manager of registration services for Cheshire County Council, said: "Cheshire is an extremely popular place to marry, not just with people from over the border but from all over the country, and it's not just those who are coming back to a part of the world that they already know.

"Its popularity owes a lot to its beautiful countryside and amazing range of venues. You can get married anywhere from a castle to a wine bar.

"Couples are also attracted by the fact they can tailor their wedding, unlike some areas which have a set service.

"They can have a poetry reading, write their own vows and play their own music as long as it preserves the dignity of the occasion. No two weddings are the same and that is what makes the day so special."

Cheshire's registered buildings span five centuries, ranging from a 16th century Tudor inn to five-star modern hotels.

Last year Ness Botanical Gardens, in Neston, became the latest venue in which to marry.

Its location, overlooking the Dee and the Welsh hills while surrounded by some of the world's rarest plants, has been a huge draw for couples.

Other unusual venues include Beeston Castle, Chester Zoo, Quarry Bank Mill, Crewe Alexandra Football Club and Chester Racecourse, as well as mediaeval weddings at Peckforton Castle.

The council has quadrupled the staff in its marriage services section to cope with the huge demand. Up to 40 staff will be conducting ceremonies across the county on any given Saturday during the summer.

Cheshire's reputation as the country's wedding capital has also been boosted by the Chester Festival of Romance, which began last year.

This week, the council launches an updated version of its Cheshire Wedding Guide brochure, available at county libraries, register offices and at various wedding shows.

Elspeth Wallace, community executive spokesman, said: "As well as such an impressive selection of venues, the county council's registrars pride themselves on offering a personalised service to couples wishing to marry.

"They work closely with them to ensure their ceremony is exactly to their requirements, whether it be a simple, intimate ceremony or grand occasion."

Copies of the new brochure, which also lists businesses offering a range of wedding services, can be viewed online at www.weddingsincheshire.net

Something out of a story book >>>

Something out of a story book

PLANNING engineer Ian Brocklebank, 34, and his bride-to-be searched for hotels across Cheshire before finding the setting for their dream wedding at the Forest Hills Hotel in Frodsham.

The couple tied the knot in style on Valentine's Day with hundreds of guests.

Gillian Brocklebank, 32, an administrations manager, said: "We looked at hotels across the area, and decided on the Forest Hills.

"We needed a hotel because we had 45 rooms booked for guests at the wedding and a lot of my father's family is from Scotland.

"And it was fantastic. There were no hitches, no waiting around and the bar was nearby while the photographs were being taken.

"Because the wedding was on Valentine's Day, the bridesmaids were in red and I was in silver. There were red heart balloons everywhere.

"Then the next morning everyone waved us away and threw confetti as we left in a limousine to go to the airport for the honeymoon.

"It was like something out of a story book."