More same sex couples are turning their civil partnerships into marriage in Brighton and Hove than anywhere else in the UK.

The city’s register office has been rushed off its feet with couples looking to transform civil partnerships into marriages since the change in the law on December 10.

A total of 84 couples had tied the knot up until last Friday with more than 100 ceremonies due to have taken place before the end of the year, including on New Year’s Eve.

There will be no let-up in the new year with 60 ceremonies booked in until December 10, 2015.

The council’s register office has been far busier than any other in the country processing around 50% more than their nearest counterparts in Westminster.

Couples have been coming from France, Belgium and Cornwall to have their ceremony in the city. One in four are believed to be from outside the city.

Among those who have had ceremonies in Brighton Town Hall and the Royal Pavilion, is comedian Zoe Lyons who wed her partner on Tuesday after their civil ceremony in 2007.

A total of 17 conversions were carried out on the historic first day, which remains the office’s busiest day so far.

Arrangements are being made to accommodate more bookings and get couples married as soon as possible.

Couples tying the knot do not have to pay for the conversion with the costs covered by the Government for the first year.

They do pay £4 for their marriage certificate, which is backdated to the day the couple had their civil partnership.

Trevor Love, Brighton and Hove registrar, said: “It has been a memorable year for the register office and I feel very privileged.

“Doing this job is always a great honour but with these landmarks it makes it extra special.

“We were expecting it to be busy but we didn’t quite know what the figures were likely to be.

“It has been a nice surprise for people to see the dates of their civil partnership on the wedding certificate.

“A lot of people don’t realise that would be the case until we point it out but the reasoning is that if people had the opportunity to be married back then they would have done so.”

For more information on civil ceremony conversions visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/content /community-and-life-events/ births-deaths-and-marriages.