A couple have become the first to marry in a new ceremony room in Chichester.

David and Diana Morris, of East Preston, tied the knot at West Sussex Record Office.

Mr Morris said: “We wanted to be somewhere nice to get married and didn’t want to travel.

“Chichester is so beautiful and we were so lucky that they were opening up this new venue – as it turns out we were the first marriage here.” Mrs Morris said: “The fact that it is very small and intimate made it special.

“We just wanted it to be quiet with a couple of friends, so it was just ideal.” The licensed room at the Orchard Street venue, which has records dating back more than 1,200 years, can stage marriage or civil partnership ceremonies on selected days.

The room is also licensed for baby naming and renewal of vows ceremonies.