Civil wedding and partnership ceremonies will be allowed to take place outdoors for the first time in Worcestershire from July 1.

Currently, ceremonies at approved premises such as hotels need to be in a room or other permanent structure.

This change in the law will allow couples to hold outdoor ceremonies from July 2021 until next April 2022 and means more guests can attend gatherings that would otherwise have been affected by social distancing restrictions.

The government are due to launch a consultation to see if it should be extended beyond April 2022 and become permanent.

The change will only apply to locations already approved to hold civil weddings and partnership ceremonies.

It comes as the cap on the number of guests allowed at weddings and civil partnerships gets lifted in England from June 21.

More than 30 guests will be allowed again at such events, but venues have been asked to limit numbers based on the space they have and with social distancing measures in place.

Councillor Matt Dormer said: “A couple’s wedding day is one of the most special times in their lives and this change will allow them to celebrate it the way that they want.”

“By having a civil wedding or partnership ceremony able to take place outdoors this gives couples greater flexibility, allowing them to be more imaginative about how they can accommodate friends and loved ones, whilst still adhering to Covid safe guidelines.”