A VICAR has saluted an army couple who have taken advantage of his cut-price wedding service in order to tie the knot in double time and start their married life without the burden of debt.

Future Fulwood bride and groom, Beverley McAuley and Billy Lynn, both 24, are only the second couple this year to take up Reverend Dick Cartmell's special wedding package which includes all the trimmings for just £750 - as exclusively revealed in our sister newspaper, the Blackburn Citizen last June.

For Beverley, a private with the Adjutant General Corps at Fulwood Barracks, it will be the culmination of a six-year courtship.

And it should be an extra special ceremony at St James' Church on Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen with the wedding bells set to ring at Christmas time.

"It's a very attractive package," said Beverley, "but what really concerns me is the religious side of the ceremony. I have attended St James' on a regular basis and it means a lot for me to express my commitment and love for Billy in my own church."

The couple are to wed in a registry office before their marriage is blessed at the church.

The all-inclusive package - thought to be the first of its kind in the country - relies on the skills of the congregation who provide the flowers, cake, car, photographs and video.

Billy is currently based in Canada with the Royal Logistics Corps and has planned his Christmas leave around the wedding.

"I think it's a great idea," he said. "It's knocked about £2,000 off the price of our wedding and allowed us to get married a lot sooner." For proud mum and dad, Lillian and William McAuley, it will be the second time they have attended their daughter's wedding.

"Our other daughter Karen was married in 1991 and it cost a massive £7,000," said Lillian.

"I'm sure they're going to make it a very special occasion for them."

Reverend Cartmell said: "The cost of weddings these days is ridiculous and I'm sick of marrying couples into debt.

"Beverley and Billy will have the very best treatment here and they can now spend the money they save on their house or their future. I wish more couples would follow their example."

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