A PROUD Bradfordian couple will be the first to tie the knot in the city's new register office.

Finishing touches are currently being made to the register office in City Hall, ahead of its grand opening next month.

And the first pair to wed there have been revealed as Sarah Dillon, a community nurse, and Sean Ward, who works for a wholesale food co-operative.

The Denholme couple, both 29, will take make vows on Thursday, October 9, straight after the register office is officially opened by Bradford-born Look North presenter Harry Gration.

Mr Gration, whose own birth was one of the thousands recorded at the old Bradford Register Office in Manor Row, will join the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Mike Gibbons, for the facility's grand unveiling.

After the wedding, the City Hall bells will ring like church bells and City Park's mirror pool fountains will be set to flow like arches for the happy couple's photographs.

The newlyweds will also have photos taken on City Hall's grand staircase - which will have opened exactly 100 years ago to the day, on October 9, 1914.

The wedding breakfast will be in the Banqueting Hall of the landmark Gothic building, before the party moves to the Midland Hotel for the evening reception.

Miss Dillon said the couple had been told when they booked the wedding that it would be the first in the new register office.

She said: "I'm excited and a bit scared - you're already nervous when you're getting married but the thought of Harry and the T&A being there on the day adds to that."

Leader of the Council Councillor David Green said: "We're very proud of the new register office on City Hall's ground floor.

"City Hall is much admired by visitors from all over the country and provides a beautiful heritage setting for weddings. City Park also provides a fabulous backdrop for photos.

"I hope Sean and Sarah enjoy their day and I wish them all the very best for the future."

The current Bradford Register Office will open for its last full day before the move to City Hall on Thursday, October 2.

It will be closed on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4, except for emergencies.

Then it will open at City Hall on Monday, October 6, with the first wedding following three days later.

The new office, on the ground floor, is costing around £152,000 to fit out and will have its own dedicated entrance on Channing Way.

The move is part of Bradford Council's ten-year Property Programme, which aims to bring its estate up to scratch by selling off some buildings and using the cash to improve others.