A REGISTER office could be built on the site of a former school in Burnley.

Land which was once home to Todmorden Road school could be the site for hundreds of civil wedding and partnership ceremonies in years to come.

County council property chiefs have been searching for months for a suitable replacement for the town's existing register office in Nicholas Street.

The current wedding venue is in a grade-II listed building but can only comfortably seat 35 family and friends for services.

Officers say the move offers the most cost-effective solution and the ability to accommodate more people.

The county council owns the site and if the moves were thought appropriate then the location could be transferred from the authority's children and young people's directorate to the adult and community services department.

Vandals forced the demolition of the former school buildings in 2005.

Under the proposals, a neighbouring piece of land, most of which was the old playground, could also be sold off, generating £100,000 for the council's coffers.

It was considered that it would have cost at least £170,000 - the market value of the school site - to find suitable premises in Burnley town centre.

Richard Jones, executive director of adult and community services, said: "Several sites were considered in terms of size, local environment, access, shape, availability and planning suitability.

"The site which has emerged as the preferred site is on Todmorden Road, Burnley, and is already in the ownership of the county council.

"The site was declared surplus to requirements by the children and young people's directorate in June 2005. The building was under attack from vandals and it was decided on health and safety grounds to demolish the school."

Planning permission will need to be obtained from Burnley Council before any work can commence on the new register office.

No firm decision has yet to be announced on what will happen to the existing office in Nicholas Street but it could be sold.