Couples choosing a register office wedding in Great Yarmouth will now also have the more 'traditional' option of tying the knot at the Town Hall.

The move follows the closure of Gorleston's Ferryside register office two years ago amid concerns that the new library venue would not match the faded Edwardian splendour that had formed the backdrop for wedding snaps for 60 years.

Officials said they were proud of the library's air-conditioned rooms with all mod cons and that feedback was positive.

But figures reveal a 60pc slump in the number of matches from April to August last year – peak ceremony season.

Now under a new agreement between the county and borough councils, couples can book the plush Rambouillet Room directly with the registration service, avoiding the extra cost of paying for a registrar.

Borough council spokesman David Wiles, said: 'Following the move from Ferryside in Gorleston to the Great Yarmouth Library in 2011, couples and their guests often mentioned that they missed the character and ambience of the former register office.

'The county and borough councils agreed they should try to offer a wider choice and the result is an arrangement giving couples the option to choose the Rambouillet Room at the Town Hall as an alternative, cost-effective marriage or civil partnership venue.'

The new arrangement comes into effect from September 16.

To arrange a viewing, call Laura Goodman on 01493 846125.