MORE than 100 romantic couples at a Roman Catholic church are to renew their wedding vows on St Valentine's Day.

Couples planning to wed are also invited to the Valentine's Mass at St Joseph's RC Church, Accrington, to celebrate the sacrament of marriage.

This is the second year parishioners at the Belgarth Road church will participate in the service, which was introduced by the parish priest Father Martin Saunders.

Eddie Donnelly, a parishioner at St Joseph's, said: "Last year there were about 100 couples and we are expecting the same, if not more, this time.

"In this day and age marriages don't seem to last more than five years as, at the first sign of trouble, they run back to their parents or go to friends.

"But it is important to keep the family together and this gives a more supportive upbringing to children.

"This service brings couples back to the original vows they made."

Eddie, 69, and his wife Sadie, 71, have been married for 45 years. They renewed their vows in the service last year and will do it again this St Valentine's Day.

The parish priest said: "This is open to everyone but especially married couples and couples intending to get married.

"It is also a time to, perhaps, remember a spouse who has since died."

Refreshments will be held in the church hall after the service.