Lucky couples set a date for 8/8/8

Shropshire couples seem keen to tie the knot on a Friday in August which carries the apparently lucky date of 8/8/08.

So far, 13 couples from across the county have booked civil weddings for the day with Shropshire County Council's registration service, which is many more than on an average Friday.

According to Chinese culture, eight is a lucky number that stands for prosperity and wealth, and 888 is thought to be particularly lucky. The summer Olympics n Beijing are scheduled to open on 8/8/08 at 8:08:08pm.

Karen Burton, business manager for the registration service, said: "Friday, August 8 is certainly proving to be a popular day for weddings in Shropshire, and our registrars will be much busier that day than on a typical Friday.

"I hope it will prove to be a happy and lucky day for all the couples who are due to get married, and that they do indeed enjoy prosperity and good fortune in their lives together."

The weddings are being staged at The Walls in Oswestry, Mill Hotel in Alveley, the Albright Hussey, Rowton Castle and Albrighton Hall hotels near Shrewsbury, Hopton Court in Hopton Wafers, and Shrewsbury Castle.

More than 50 premises across Shropshire have been granted a licence by the county council to stage civil weddings and other civil ceremonies.

Meanwhile the registration service has been praised by Government inspectors.

Twelve months ago the service was awarded the prestigious Charter Mark, in recognition of the high-quality customer service provided by its staff.

Mike Owen, county council cabinet member for community well-being, said: "The Charter Mark recognises the high quality of the registration and celebratory services that we provide, the work we carry out to improve services and, most importantly, the efforts of our staff to deliver the best services, and the best service, to our customers."