The bells are ringing out for wedding days as well as Christmas in Staffordshire

Staffordshire's registrars are preparing for a flurry of festive weddings this week.

The county's registrars have 32 ceremonies booked this week, including eight on Christmas Eve. Staff have been busy sprucing up and making final festive touches to ceremony rooms.

Staffordshire has more than 130 approved wedding venues, from castles to theme parks, railway stations and even football clubs. Popular venues include the Shugborough Estate, St George's Park in Burton – home of the National Football Centre - Staffordshire University, Alton Towers, Drayton Manor Park and Tamworth Castle and there are also eight registration offices across the county.

Christmas time remains a popular choice for couples to tie the knot, along with Valentine's Day and the August bank holiday Saturdays. The months of May to October are the most popular months and 1.30pm and 2pm are the most requested times for ceremonies to be held. Last year the county council's registrars conducted more than 3,000 marriage ceremonies.

Councillor Ian Parry, deputy leader at Staffordshire County Council and cabinet member responsible for the registrars' service, said: "Staffordshire is a great county to get married in with a huge range of wonderful venues and locations to choose from. And it's easy to see why so many people choose to marry at such a magical time of year, with a sprig of mistletoe making the day even more special.

"Over the past few years Christmas and winter weddings have become more popular and our staff are always happy to help couples find new ways of making their big day even more memorable."