BIRTHS, deaths and marriages will soon be registered at Evesham Library after county councillors agreed to run both services under one roof.

The move, a first for Worcestershire, will see the Oat Street library undergo major refurbishment in order to accomodate the registration office in the space occupied by its existing children’s section.

Sharon Duggan, registration and coroner services manager, said: "The move to bring a library and registration office, including the ceremony room, under one roof like this is a first for Worcestershire and am confident that it will result in Evesham Registration Office being a lovely location that many people will want to hold their special occasions in. The project will result in reduced overheads, in times when savings are very important."

The project has been sparked by the lease on the exisiting office in Swan Lane ending next year and atender is currently out on the refurbishment work which is set for completion in the new year.

Improvements planned for the library include a new seating area, wi-fi, self-service technology and a new children's area and a new ceremony room will be larger than the existing one.

Residents will be able to have their say on the relocation and refurbishment project and it is expected the library will have to close for short periods during the work.

Janine Downes, Evesham Library Manager said: “The refurbishment of the library will see it become much lighter and brighter and an even better and more welcoming place to come and borrow books, CDs and DVDs, surf the internet, carry out some research or enjoy one of our exhibitions.”