Selby'S new town hall could soon be the venue for civil weddings - but at a price for the happy couple.

Councillors are considering obtaining a special licence for the building in Gowthorpe, which has been restored to its former glory at a cost of £370,000.

But the bride and bridegroom would have to pay out £224.50 - upped to £294.50 if it's a Sunday ceremony - compared with a register office wedding licence costing £54.50.

The reason for the huge difference in price is the fee charged for a registrar and superintendent registrar to be in attendance at the town hall to pronounce the couple man and wife.

On top of that, the bride and bridegroom may have to make a contribution to Selby Town Council, which faces a bill of £850 for a three-year civil wedding licence.

The new town hall used to be a Primitive Methodist chapel, a school clinic and more latterly a tyre depot.

Weddings would be held in the arts centre at the front of the town hall, which now boasts a tasteful green and cream decor, velvet curtains, pine floor and original wooden wall panelling.

Town councillor and deputy mayor, Jennifer Shaw-Wright, said it would make an ideal venue for weddings.

She said: "There are no other premises in Selby at present where you can have a civil wedding, apart from the register office.

"The town hall would be a beautiful setting - it's so elegant and gracious."

Couples could devise their own personalised civil ceremony with poetry and music, provided there was no religious music or readings.

The town hall would have to be licensed by North Yorkshire County Council trading standards department, whose officers would first vet the building.

A public notice would then be issued, giving residents 21 days in which to object.

Principal trading standards officer Robin Mair said: "We fully support the use of other premises because it gives customers more choice, which must be good for the people of Selby."

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