Big days at Blackpool

COUPLES will soon be able to wed beside the seaside in a £2.7 million scheme at the UK's most popular beach resort.

Work on a timber-built wedding venue on Blackpool's promenade will start in the summer, with the first ceremonies expected to be held in spring 2011. The building, to include an outdoor balcony, will have the Blackpool Tower as a backdrop and is part of the town's 14.3m Tower Festival Headland project.

Doug Garrett, chief executive of ReBlackpool, Blackpool's urban regeneration company, said: "I'm very pleased Blackpool will be able to offer an innovative setting for couples wanting to marry in a venue with 'wow' factor."