COUPLES could soon tie the knot at Banbury Town Hall after plans were unveiled to host weddings at the refurbished venue.

Banbury Town Council has applied for a wedding licence from Oxfordshire County Council.

It also wants to extend its operating hours from as late as 11pm to 1am and to start selling alcohol.

A £500,000 refurbishment which added an extra ground floor function room and interview room in reception finished last summer.

Ceremonies would be held in the main hall and a council report said it would not seek to compete with weddings at hotels.

It said these often offer the room for free and make cash from hotel rooms and bar takings.

Prices being considered are £450 for a three-hour room hire with a further £1,750 for a reception in its function room or £2,100 for both.

The downstairs meeting room would also be available for cheaper weddings and receptions, with £200 for just the room or £800 for both. A further committee room would be for ceremonies only at £150.

Hiring rooms at Oxford Town Hall costs between £250 to £595.