BOLTON Register Office, which has changed the lives and loves of generations of Bolton people, is on the move.

Next month it leaves its present headquarters in Paderborn house and switches to the country house surroundings of historic Mere Hall.

It will end a town centre connection going back well over a century but Superintendent Registrar Oliver Barton believes people will really appreciate the hall's new setting.

"We did a survey about our suite in the Civic Centre in 1995 and basically people did not think a lot about the setting and I must confess it is not the best. One of our main drawbacks has been the lack of parking - some weddings can have more than 100 guests and at times it's been 'standing room only' to fit everyone in. On other occasions guests have had to wait outside because of lack of space.

"Mere Hall will change all that. It has parking for about 70 cars, it can accommodate up to 200 guests, there will be catering facilities for those who want to hold their reception in the magnificent hall and it's a much better setting with the grounds available for photographs too," he explained.

"We have been looking for more suitable surroundings for a number of years and Mere Hall off Brownlow Way fitted the bill perfectly. It was an opportunity too good to miss when City Challenge and Bolton Council came up with the idea.

"The hall has been restored at a cost of something like £1 million with City Challenge and European Regional Development Funds to turn it into a neighbourhood facility so we will be sharing the excellent facilities with the community," he added.

Work on moving more than two million records - births, marriages and deaths going back to 1837 - will begin on November 7 and the office will open for business on November 11.

City Challenge Chairman and Bolton Council Leader Cllr Bob Howarth said he was delighted the hall was going to be put to such good use.

"It was looking rather sad and neglected but the Registrar and community use will give it a new lease of life and it will be putting something back into the community. It's a fine house again. Restored to its original condition and set in its attractive grounds it must be one of the most pleasant settings in the county for a registrar's office. I'm sure people - especially wedding parties - will find it an extremely pleasant venue. I know the office is already getting bookings for 1997," he said.

Though the service is moving to Mere Hall the registrar will continue to provide a births and deaths registration service in Bolton Town Hall and Westhoughton, Horwich and Farnworth area offices.

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