COUPLES young and old renewed their marriage vows at a special Valentine’s Day service.

Worshippers celebrated the day of love at St Philip’s Church in Birchencliffe yesterday.

More than 20 couples renewed their marriage vows at the service – and celebrated with wedding cake afterwards.

Members of the congregation also brought in their old wedding photos to display on the walls of the church.

The Rev Mary Railton-Crowder said: “It was a very bright and uplifting service with a good family feel about it. We’re a very warm community here.”

She has been married to her husband Graham since 1973. The couple have three children and four grandchildren.

She added: “I think the key to a successful marriage is to be patient with each other – particularly when you have young children and you’re both very tired.”

The most-recently married couple at the service were Stephanie and Jaimie Potts who tied the knot in the church on September 12 last year.

Stephanie, 26, from Salendine Nook, said: “The marriage is going fine so far. The wedding service here was lovely. I’ve been involved with the church forever so it was nice to get married locally.

“We’re going to Paris in a few weeks – that was my Valentine’s Day surprise from Jaimie.”

Stephanie’s sister, 24-year-old Nicky Morgan, is getting married in the church on July 17. Yesterday was a special day for her – the first anniversary of her engagement to Rob Armitage, 38.

Nicky, who lives in Mount, said: “Valentine’s Day is a very special day for us and I really enjoyed the service. It made us look forward to getting married even more.”

The couple at the service with the longest marriage were 80-year-olds Sheila and Irvine Cooper, of Briarlyn Road, Birchencliffe. Their wedding was on April 2, 1955.

Sheila said: “I enjoyed the service. I haven’t been well recently but I’m glad I managed to get here today”.