The first wedding in England and Wales to be broadcast on the Internet from a council register office was being held today, writes Mark Sage.

Brent Council, in north west London, will allow a potential audience of millions around the world to log on as Ravi Ram and his girlfriend, Mamta Patel, take their vows.

From that moment, all weddings in the borough's register office can be broadcast online at no extra cost.

The ceremony can be seen at www.Brent.gov.uk/reg

The idea is that if your family are abroad or cannot get to the ceremony, they can see the wedding take place, said council spokesman Pascoe Sawyers.

Many people have large families, many of whom live outside the UK, so it would be safe to assume that there is some demand for this service. Family and friends of Mr Ram, a registered psychiatric nurse from Harrow, north-west London, and Miss Patel, a part-time care worker, will watch as the ceremony unfolds.

Mr Ram's sister Doorga will log on from the University of Mauritius and Miss Patel said she has many friends in the US who will go online to watch the wedding.

Mr Sawyers said the service will cost the taxpayer virtually nothing.

We have all the facilities set up it is just the cost of a camera, he said.

And he added: I am sure it was dreamed up in some ad hoc meeting.

Other services will soon be available online from the council including birth, marriage and death certificates.