Trevor Love's register office has just been named one of the best in Britain.

Brighton Register Office has been awarded a prestigious Charter Mark - the Government's recognition of excellence.

The register office is getting used to making headlines after last year becoming one of the first in Britain to allow gay couples to publicly declare their commitment.

Mr Love moved to Brighton for a job with his name written all over it.

After all, what couple would turn down the opportunity to be married by a man with such a romantic surname?

After previous careers as a civil servant, a flower shop owner and an animal welfare volunteer, he moved to Brighton to fulfil an ambition of becoming a registrar.

He said: "It's a great job and I get to work with a lovely crowd of people. I'm very happy.

"A lot of people pick up on my name and obviously when they hear it they think it's quite nice.

"Some people don't mention it because they're too polite but it often brings a smile.

"I suppose some people do like to be married by a Love but in the end they get the same ceremony as everyone else."

Each year Brighton registrars conduct more than 1,000 civil ceremonies in addition to registering every marriage in the city. Last year the office processed 2611 notices of marriage.

Staff also field hundreds of calls from non-residents wanting information on how to marry in the city by the sea.

Linda Holm, superintendent registrar, said: "We are all delighted. This is not an award that is easily achieved.

"It has been a real team effort and everyone works hard to fulfil our promise to provide a courteous and responsive service.

"Each ceremony is conducted in a sincere and professional manner reflecting the individual wishes of every couple.

"Biodegradable confetti and disposable cameras are on sale in case of emergency. We endeavour to think of everything."

Customer surveys, exit polls, information leaflets and marriage packs have been introduced as well as a newsletter to keep the public informed on registration changes locally and nationally.

The Charter Mark has also been awarded for the high quality of its births and deaths registration service.

Mrs Holm said: "We are incredibly busy. Brighton and Hove is a very popular place to get married. People think it is a fun place to do it."

Among staff toasting the office's success was the popular Mr Love.

But despite working in an environment where Cupid's arrow is flying left, right and centre, Mr Love does not consider himself lucky in love.

"Unfortunately not", he said. "And I never have been."