Dorset register offices closure plan agreed

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

Plans to cut the number of register offices in Dorset from 11 to six have been agreed by councillors.

The Christchurch and Shaftesbury offices are to shut, while Gillingham, Sherborne and Swanage will provide "outreach services" only.

Dorset County Council's cabinet voted to approve the recommendations, which were prompted by a predicted fall in income from ceremonies.

The authority said it was unclear whether there would be any job losses.

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

Registrars would also continue to provide services in the three "outreach" towns if the town councils were able to pay their travel time and mileage, although the exact locations for these have not been decided.

The self-funded service currently derives about £550,000 a year from performing marriage ceremonies but a report warned it could lose up to £431,000 a year amid a predicted fall in demand.