Outdoor weddings and civil partnerships are to be legalised permanently in England and Wales, ministers have announced.

Since last summer, couples have been able to hold their civil wedding or ceremony outside under temporary measures introduced during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before then, civil ceremonies had to take place indoors, or outdoors within a permanent structure such as a bandstand.

From April, the temporary measures would be made permanent at licensed venues after “overwhelming support” from the public, faith groups and the wedding industry, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.