THE cost of getting married in Hartlepool will increase if plans to increase attendance fees for civil ceremonies are approved.

The Marriage Act 1994 allows civil marriage ceremonies to take place in premises approved by the local authority, provided that they are attended by the superintendent registrar and a registrar of marriages of the district.

It allows the local authority to set fee levels to recover the costs of attending at the marriages.

Councillors are being asked to approve an increase of three per cent, which would come into effect from April 1.

The report to Hartlepool Borough Council's resources board, which meets on Tuesday, said the increase was broadly in line with inflation over the past 12 months.

The present fees were set in February last year in three bands according to the day on which the marriage takes place.

Band A, Monday to Friday, during normal office hours, will rise from £170 to £175. Band B, Monday to Friday, outside normal office hours, and Saturday, will rise from £198.50 to £204.50, and Band C, Sunday and bank holidays, will rise from £226.50 to £233.50.