December 8, 2000 16:36: Suttons imposing Victorian register office Russettings, in Worcester Road, could become a listed building.

But before English Heritage considers the application for listed status, superintendent registrar Marion Vidler wants to hear from local people with personal knowledge about the house, particularly around the turn of the century.

She said: Recollections of anyone who had any connection with Russettings will be a great help.

We are opening a book

for people to record their reminiscences or they can write to me at Russettings, 25 Worcester Road, Sutton, SM2 6PR.

Since the London Borough of Sutton was created in 1965, thousands of couples have tied the knot in the house.

The marriage suite in the former drawing room and its setting in picturesque grounds have made it a popular choice for weddings.

The building, extensively renovated in 1994, contains many original features and has an interesting history.

Russettings was built in 1899 for George Smith, who lived there from 1901 until his death in 1917.

A subsequent owner, Thomas Wall, bequeathed the house to his nephew Dr Percy Hall-Smith, who with his wife Cynthia, ran it as a nursing home from 1931 to 1938.

During the war, Russettings became the offices of an engineering firm until it was bought in 1948 for £6,000 by Surrey County Council.

The ground floor housed the countys careers office and from 1953 one room was used by the registrar.

When the borough council took over it became the district register office and following the 1994 renovation it now houses registration for births and deaths as well.