PRESTON is set to be at the centre of the biggest shake-up in the way births, marriages, deaths and official ceremonies are recorded for more than 150 years.

Plans for the service could see hospitals being used to register births and deaths.

County Hall would continue to be the main registry office, but its use could be extended for same-sex couples registering their relationships and new Citizenship Ceremonies.

The ceremonies which will start in April next year will see immigrants swear allegiance to Queen and country in an official service, before they apply for a passport or other documents.

Proper officer Paul Burgess said: "We are looking at a suitable site for these, but at the moment the marriage rooms in County Hall are being considered. The event will involve music and families will be invited."

And portfolio holder for public protection, County Councillor Doreen Pollitt, said that it is an exciting development, but staff will have to be retrained.

She said: "There'll be a lot going on, but this is great for Preston."

Proposals to overhaul the system, which has been in place since registration began in 1837, come in response to the government's call to modernise the service, currently served by eight districts in the county.

It could also mean a reshuffling of staff as well as the closure of four offices, deemed inefficient, including Garstang.

The plan is to provide a 'go anywhere, do anything' service to allow customers to register events anywhere, regardless of their address.

It could also mean a new home, possibly on Riversway, to house all the county's records in one special strong room with research areas for the public.

Mr Burgess said: "The scheme has got to leap a century. The government in the long-term is looking at providing an online service.

"There has been a boom in the interest of genealogy and the new premises would cater for people wanting to research their family tree."

The proposals are to be discussed at a cabinet meeting today (Thursday) in County Hall.

Once the scheme gets the go-ahead, it will be another feather in the cap for the city of Preston, currently the county's administrative centre, and home to the regional headquarters of the fire, ambulance and police services.