A RAFT of new wedding packages are being launched at Worcester's Guildhall - in the hope more people will tie the knot at the historic venue.

Back in March 2013 the city council finally secured a licence to host wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships inside the High Street landmark after years of talk.

Since then nine bookings have been made, including five ceremonies and four receptions, despite very little promotion or publicity.

Now the council is ready to make a serious effort to get more, and has outlined a series of special packages for couples looking to say 'I do'.

Launching from April, they are:

- Exclusive access to the entire Guildhall for a flat fee of £2,100

- A 'Fort Royal' package, for either breakfast or the evening reception, priced at £750 for the upper rooms including the council chamber for half a day, or £700 for ground rooms during an evening

- A 'Severn' package for £1,500, allowing access to the upper rooms all day for breakfast and evening receptions, and the downstairs rooms for half a day

- Room hire for a ceremony only, priced at £400 or £450 with a choice of the council chamber, lower hall or two other rooms, known as the 'Elgar' package

- A fifth option known as the 'Cromwell' package, for a ceremony and breakfast reception priced at £1,200

Before now the council was only advertising the use of one room, the Assembly Room, for £450.

The new rates are for the hire and preparations of the venue only.

Bosses say they have done some comparisons with similar venues and drawn up rates which they believe are comparable.

The pricing was outlined during a meeting of the performance, management and budget scrutiny meeting for debate.

Councillor Lynn Denham said: "I just wonder in terms of competition what calculations were used in this."

Lesley Meagher, corporate director of resources, said: "For weddings we've looked at, for example how does £2,100 for the whole Guildhall compare to other venues and set the rates accordingly - there's a logic to what we've done."

The venue dates back to 1721 with the first floor chamber, where the services tend to take place, described as “a handsome gallery” by King George III in 1788.