Pub weddings after County Durham register office closes
A County Durham public house came to the aid of couples left with nowhere to tie the knot when a register office had to be closed suddenly.
The building, in Stanley, was evacuated for safety reasons on Friday after the masonry was found to be damaged.
The South Causey Inn offered itself as an alternative venue for weddings due to take place over the next few days.
A council spokeswoman said the venue had "stepped in to save the day" with the offer.
Colette Longbottom, Durham County Council's head of legal and democratic services, said: "In the interests of the safety of staff and residents we closed the register office on Friday.
"Regrettably this left no time to give members of the public any prior notice.
"However once staff were evacuated and the building shut we immediately contacted the couples who were due to marry at the office this month and we are pleased to say we have arranged an alternative venue for all.
"While we appreciate this is not ideal, the couples most immediately affected were extremely helpful and were pleased to accept an offer by local venue South Causey Inn."
People will be able to register births and deaths at the council's new Customer Access Point in Consett.