ALMOST 5,000 births, deaths and marriages were recorded in the first year after a raft of changes were introduced at Hatfield s register office. The refurbished facilities at St Albans Road East now offer a choice of ceremony rooms for weddings, civil pa

ALMOST 5,000 births, deaths and marriages were recorded in the first year after a raft of changes were introduced at Hatfield's register office.

The refurbished facilities at St Albans Road East now offer a choice of ceremony rooms for weddings, civil partnerships, renewal of vows and civil namings.

There is also a gazebo and redesigned garden for outdoor events.

Prior to the changes, births and deaths could only be registered within the district in which they took place, but now can be registered anywhere in Hertfordshire.

In the year since the revamp, 1,895 births, 1,404 deaths, 1,422 notices of marriage and 22 notices of partnership were recorded.

And the success was celebrated with an open day last Wednesday.

Steve Charteris, head of statutory services, said: "People use our service at significant moments in their lives when they have lots to think about, so it is important that we make the registration service as accessible and straightforward as possible.

"The changes we have made have improved customer choice and the refurbishment looks fantastic.