NEW commitment ceremon-ies are being introduced for devoted couples in Sunderland.
They are aimed at people, including gay couples, who want to demonstrate the strength of their partnership.
The register office ceremonies, which have no legal standing, are already being offered in other parts of the country.
The superintendent registrar of Sunderland, George Carlyon, said: "We've already had a great deal of interest in these ceremonies, and we expect them to be very popular.
"The new ceremony will enable people who want to make a commitment to each other - but for whatever reason can't or don't want to get married - to publicly demonstrate their commitment to one another in front of their friends and family.''
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