AN institution once in decline is making a steady recovery especially in Swindon.

For the second year running, numbers of marriages in England and Wales have increased.

In 2003 the overall increase across the country was 4.7 per cent but in Swindon 15 per cent more couples tied the knot.

For the year up to March 2004 weddings at the town's register office have gone up 15 per cent. At other approved premises, usually hotels, the increase is 24 per cent.

Karen Knapton, the superintendent registrar at Swindon Register Office, is at a loss to explain the figures.

She said: "Love is in the air, but I haven't the faintest idea why. It seems to go in cycles so perhaps it's just coming more into fashion.

"But on the other hand births and deaths have also gone up, and that's because Swindon is getting bigger."

Paul Webb, 32, is getting married this summer to the Advertiser's Bride Of The Year, Samantha Moaby.

The couple have won an all- expenses-paid wedding at the Goddard Arms Hotel, in Old Town.

Paul said: "If you're happy as a couple, get on well, and have plenty in common, marriage is brilliant. I know it's not everybody's cup of tea but we think it's great.

"We've got a three-year-old son and marriage makes you like a complete family."

Canon Michael Johnson, the Church of England area Dean for Swindon has also noticed the upward trend.

He said: "We saw a decline in the number of marriages through the 1990s up to 2000, which was our low point.

"Since then the number of marriages has leapt up and we are pretty much where we were about ten years ago."

"It is good if people are willing to make this life-long commitment to each other.

"It's an exciting journey and I think it's tremendous that people still have this confidence in marriage.

"In a world where lots of things are changing and the nature of relationships is changing, people tend to carry in their heads the divorce statistics before the marriage statistics.

"It is important to recognise people's confidence in marriage as something that they aspire to do, and to do well."

The Rev Ruth Cram, the vicar of St Andrew's Church, in North Swindon, said: "Here in North Swindon a lot of young couples are getting married, not only in church but also hotels, so it seems to be popular.

"Many couples who come to me to get married have lived together for a number of years and maybe been waiting to get on the housing ladder.

"They often say they always intended to get married and make that commitment."

Mrs Cram has also noticed a big increase in church weddings.

She said: "Three or four years ago we were only getting a handful of weddings a year but we now have around 15.

"I know my colleagues would say the same thing.

"I think modern young couples are still looking for the old fashioned stability and public commitment my generation went in for."

A wedding is supposed to be one of the biggest days in anyone's life, but it turns out to be a moving one for the vicar too.

Mrs Cram said: "It's fantastic being able to stand there and conduct a marriage service. It's really such a privilege."