A COUPLE will make history today when they become the first to be married at the Head of Steam railway museum.

Paul Wheeler, 34, and Ruth Chapman, 30, who live in London but are originally from Darlington, chose the town’s unique venue for their big day even before they knew the venue had been made available for weddings.

The couple both have family members who worked on the railways in the past and thought the museum would be a perfect place to get hitched.

Miss Chapman, a scientist working for the Health Protection Agency, said: “We’re from Darlington and we were looking around for somewhere a bit different to get married. I phoned the council to ask if it was possible and, strangely, they were considering making it a wedding venue.

She added: “We knew a bit about the importance of the railways to the town, and with our families working on the railways, we felt we had a connection with it.”

Her husband-to-be is a backstage crew member on the Lion King musical, in London’s West End.

The Head of Steam is one of a number of venues which granted licences for marriages and civil partnerships by the Council’s Licensing Committee earlier this month.

The council’s superintendent registrar, Anthony Hall, said: “Obtaining licences for these venues means we can offer people some unique places to help make their big day even more special.”

Councillor Stephen Harker, cabinet member for health and leisure, said: “We’re thrilled Ruth and Paul will be the first to get married at the Head of Steam and wish them all the very best for the future.”

South Park Bandstand and Stressholme Golf Club are two other venues now available in Darlington for marriages and civil partnerships. Further information is available at darlington.gov.uk/occasions