NEW figures published by the Office for National Statistics have ranked North Yorkshire joint first with Cornwall as the most popular setting for civil weddings.
Official figures for the county show a six per cent increase in the number of wedding ceremonies held over the past year - compared to a national increase of just half a per cent.
Among the most sought-after venues in the county have been Ripley Castle, Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre and Tan Hill, the highest pub in England.
Stuart Pudney, North Yorkshire's head of trading standards and regulatory services, said: "Once again, North Yorkshire is being shown to be the most popular place for couples to tie the knot.
"Over the past few years the county council has put a lot of effort into portraying North Yorkshire as the place to get married. These efforts are clearly paying off.
"It might seem cynical to say this, but marriage is big business. If we attract just 100 extra couples to come to North Yorkshire for their wedding, then this can put £500,000 into the local economy."
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