A Welsh MP and former vicar is urging changes in the marriage laws to allow couples more choice in where and when their ceremonies are held.

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant wants the UK Government to relax the restrictions to allow more flexibility.

Some couples want to wed underwater

He is sponsoring a special debate in the House of Commons on Monday, which will insist that couples should be permitted to have tailor-made weddings.

This would broaden the scope for marriages in more adventurous surroundings.

Mr Bryant says although the law has already been relaxed to give engaged couples a greater choice, many still find their options restricted.

And he would also like a wider range of people permitted to perform ceremonies - including himself.

At present, ceremonies have to be performed by registrars.

Dying tradition

Bachelor Mr Bryant, 40, was ordained into the Church of England in 1986, but left five years later to become Frank Dobson's election agent.

As a result of his career decision, he could not continue to marry couples.

Figures released earlier this year showed that church weddings were something of a dying tradition.

Ten years ago, most weddings happened in church but now three out of every five are performed at civil ceremonies.

Merthyr's historic Cyfarthfa Castle is well-used

Research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated that 267,961 marriages were conducted in the UK in 2000 - a rise of almost 2% on the previous year and the first growth in eight years.

But while the number of religious ceremonies fell by nearly 4% during the same period, the figures for civil marriages rose by 5%.

And while nearly half of couples both marrying for the first time still chose religious weddings, 86% opted for civil ceremonies when remarrying.

Under the 1994 Marriage Act, venues other than register offices and religious establishments can hold weddings.

Stately homes

While three-quarters of civil marriages are still performed at register offices, one out of every six couples now ties the knot at an alternative approved venue.

Hotels host 57% of this type of wedding, with stately homes accommodating a further 8%.

Other popular venues include sports and leisure centres, museums and even educational establishments.

The survey also suggests couples are waiting longer to get married.

The average age is now 35 for a bridegroom and 32 for a bride.