IT IS standing room only for newlyweds after thieves took a popular lovers' bench.

Staff at Southampton register office were shocked when they arrived at work in Bugle Street to discover it had been stolen.

The marble Grecian style bench has been used by hundreds of happy couples to pose for pictures on their special day.

Now registrars are appealing for help in tracing it or hoping some kind company will stump up the cash to sponsor a new one. Officials believe the weight of the bench meant it would have to have been lifted by a gang who loaded it on to a van before making their getaway.

Superintendent Registrar Francine Lawrence said: "It took three people to get it into position when we first got it two years ago.

"There's no sign of it being dragged so they must have backed a van right up to it and lifted it on to it.

"Every couple that has got married goes on to it for pictures afterwards, so it must have appeared in many family albums.

"We are all quite shocked really and it's a big shame as we have lots of weddings coming up.

"Last August we had one of our big pots taken from outside the marriage room door so we now have to think about locking the front gates."

The £300 bench is believed to have been stolen overnight on Monday. Mrs Lawrence said: "We are hoping that someone will either trace it or maybe a business would like to help us get a new one and they could have a plaque on it."

If you have information please call the register office on 023 8063 1422.