BURNLEY is to be marketed as a gay weddings destination by county council bosses looking to cash in on the pink pound.

The town's register office is one of only three in Lancashire which will be marketed by the county council for the new ceremonies from December 21.

The county council says it already has around 50 gay couples ready to commit themselves to each other in the new services.

And they expect that number to rise when they begin marketing the 'civil partnership' ceremonies later this year.

Blackburn has previously been Lancashire's gay wedding hotspot, and gay couples have in the past been directed to the town by the county council.

Around six services have been held in the last year, none of which carried any legal status.

But ones held after December 21 will entitle gay companies to similar legal status enjoyed by married heterosexual couples.

A report to Coun Jean Battle, the county's cabinet member for community planning and partnerships, states that a promotions officer has already been appointed to raise awareness of the new services to be offered.

It states that Preston, Burnley and Lancaster have been chosen as the register offices where notification of 'civil partnerships' will be given in the county.

Couples can then have a ceremony at the register office or at other wedding-registered premises in the area, such as hotels.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The promotion office will promote the service we intend to provide, along with other services.

"Registrars are in the process of being trained so they can also be civil partnership registrars.

"It is appropriate that the county council's principles of equality and diversity should inform the way it implements the Civil Partnerships Act and that, as one of the largest registration districts in the region, Lancashire should build on its success as a premier choice for a wedding venue by offering a wider range of ceremonies."

The wedding industry is worth millions to East Lancashire's economy, and today those involved in the trade welcomed the work.

Keirby Park Hotel manager Stephen McLoughlin said: "If someone came here and wanted to book a room for a gay wedding we would definitely do it as it's business."

Geoffrey Mallinson, manager of the Sparrow Hawk Hotel, Church Street, said: "I would have no objections. The way business is at the moment any business is good business.

"We are fortunate in that we do get people staying even if they are at an event elsewhere. Anything that would attract business to Burnley would be welcome."

But the Bishop of Burnley, the Right Rev John Goddard, said the church did not recognise the ceremonies as marriage.

He said: "The Christian church has always sought to be a community of compassion reflecting God's love to all people and my reactions to civil partnerships will continue to reflect that.

"As Christians living in a society of diverse relationships the church would always work to affirm qualities that bring stability to our often fragmented community.

"However we also need to remember that these proposed partnerships are strictly civil ceremonies. The Church does not see them as 'marriages'.

"Marriages have always been celebrated as partnerships between a man and a woman for life blessed within the Christian Church."

He added that the Church recognised civil commitments of the same sex may enable people legally to secure property and care of each other.

Liberal Democrat leader on Burnley Council, Coun Gordon Birtwistle, said he was not against gay weddings taking place in Burnley.

But he added: "It seems a strange thing for the town to promote but if they want to promote it that way so be it. I don't think the people of Burnley will like it.

"We are known as the BNP centre and the worst dustbin centre of the world - now we will be known as the gay marriage centre of the world as well."

Businesses were sceptical over whether people would choose the town as a wedding destination but felt it could boost trade.

LCC is also looking at developing naming ceremonies for couples who don't wish to baptise their child, along with ceremonies for married couples to reaffirm their vows. Non-religious funerals are also being considered.