Dorset register offices expected to close

Ceremonies would continue to be held at Swanage Town Hall but the register office would close

The number of register offices in Dorset will be cut from 11 to six under plans recommended by councillors.

If the proposals go ahead Christchurch and Shaftesbury offices would shut, with Gillingham, Sherborne and Swanage providing "outreach services" only.

Dorset County Council said it was unclear at this stage whether there would be any job losses.

Ceremony rooms would remain open at Blandford, Bridport, Ferndown, Swanage, Gillingham, Sherborne and Weymouth.

The authority said registrars could continue to provide services in the three "outreach" towns if the town councils were able to pay their travel time and mileage.

The plans were prompted by a predicted fall in income of up to £431,000 a year from marriages.

The self-funded service currently derives about £550,000 a year from performing such ceremonies.

The authority said the plans were "more about streamlining and modernising the service than saving money".

Cabinet is due to make a final decision when it meets on Wednesday.

Councillor Bill Trite, chairman of the Policy Development Panel, said: "If the cabinet agrees with these recommendations, then I believe the registration service can continue to provide an effective, customer-focussed service for Dorset residents, in spite of the severe financial constraints which the county council is currently facing."