PLANS by the Church of England to stop the centuries-old tradition of reading out forthcoming marriages to congregations have been backed by the Blackburn Diocese.

The move is designed to reverse the trend in the decline of church marriages.

Blackburn Cathedral Communications Officer Martin Halsall said: "The number of church weddings has fallen because of the other places where people can get married. For instance, castles or hotels.

"This may be one way of reversing that trend."

At the moment any weddings planned would be read out to the congregation three Sundays before the ceremony.

The centuries old tradition is known as reading marriage banns.

The modernisation programme could also mean that couples no longer have to marry in the parish in which they live.

Steve Jenkins, a spokesman for the Church of England, said: "If you get married in England there are certain legal preliminaries you have to go through.

"They announce the intention of the couple to get married.

"They give people the opportunity to say if the know of any legal impediment to the marriage.

"For instance if one is already married.

"They also give the church the opportunity of welcoming the couple and praying for their married life."

"A Church of England review group is considering this, as well as a number of other proposals.

"It is a straightforward review of our policy."