A bid to hold civil marriages in Southend's museums and sports centres has got the resounding backing of the town's councillors.

Members of the leisure committee agreed the authority should apply for licences to let people wed at around 15 locations across the borough.

These include Prittlewell Priory, Southchurch Hall and Cliffs Pavilion.

They will also ask for the go-ahead to allow couples to take the plunge at Warriors and Belfairs Swim Centres.

The move comes after the council has received several inquiries to hold wedding services on council premises.

Assistant leisure services director, Andrew Lewis, said: "It is felt that in addition to offering a potentially unique service to local residents and an alternative to the council's Register Office it is also a new and significant way of generating more income."

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