CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has announced that it has stopped taking bookings for ceremonies due to the coronavirus outbreak.

A number of other changes have been carried out to the council’s registration service to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.

The council says that its priority is arranging and providing death registrations.

Cllr Karen Shore, deputy council leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: “The registration service is currently experiencing an unprecedented number of enquiries. We completely understand but ask that customers please bear with us.

“Please be assured that we will respond to enquiries as soon as we can, but there will inevitably be a delay.

“Our priority at this time will be the provision of death registration appointments.”

Other changes to registration services include:

* Notice of marriage and civil partnership appointments are postponed until further notice

* The registration services team is awaiting further guidance on birth registrations, but in the meantime only those that are likely to go beyond the statutory timelines for registration (42 days from the birth) will be accommodated

* The European Union Settlement Scheme verification service will not be available at this time

No visits in person will be possible to order and/or collect copy certificates

The fast track certificate ordering system is also no longer available.

Copy certificates can still be ordered online, but there may be a delay in dispatching them.

Certificates can be ordered online at cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Email orders for copy certificates will be accepted.

The team can be emailed via chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk