A COUPLE have married in Tavistock Parish Church during the course of a Sunday morning service — the first time that a marriage has been held in this way at St Eustachius since the second world war.

Janet Warlow, 70, a faithful member of St Eustachius' Church, married Alston Kennerley, 74, at the church on the Sunday after Christmas. Alston is a regular at St Paul's church, Yelverton.

The Rev Michael Brierley, priest-in-charge, said: 'Janet is such a integral member of our church family that she and Alston naturally wanted as many of their church friends to be present. So it seemed obvious to have the wedding on a Sunday morning.'

Janet and Alston have known each other for many years, and renewed their acquaintance at Kelly Choral Society, in which they both sing, after the death of Alston's first wife, Helen. Alston is a retired university lecturer, and Janet a former primary school teacher. For many years, Janet was responsible, with Joan Symons, for the children's work at Tavistock Parish Church, and they still decorate the parish centre with decorative display boards.

'The wedding meant that even after the excitement of Christmas itself, we still had more excitement to come,' said Mr Brierley.

'It was a wonderful celebration. Janet and Alston were both absolutely beaming.'