IT will now be easier to register births and deaths after a new office was opened today at Salisbury District Hospital with help from the Stars Appeal.

The new service is in addition to the Bourne Hill registration office and will be initially open on Mondays and Tuesdays but Wiltshire Council hopes to extend the hours in the near future.

It means families will be able to register newborn babies on site at the hospital, avoiding the additional arrangements of visiting Bourne Hill.

People can also register a death at the new office and bereaved families can benefit from Wiltshire’s Tell Us Once service which informs government organisations and local council services about the death.

Stuart Wheeler, cabinet member for governance, said: “This is an excellent move which will make the whole process so much easier for residents."

The office was made possible after being refurbished by the Stars Appeal.

Dave Cates, head of fundraising for the appeal, said: “We are proud to be able to help fund this new office that will help make life easier for local families who have just welcomed a new baby and for those who have sadly suffered a bereavement."