The Diocese of Hereford which covers the most rural part of the country, is defying national trends by announcing an increase in the number of weddings taking place in their churches. Nationally, the proportion of Britons choosing to marry is at the lowest level since the figure was first calculated in 1862.

"Despite other non-church venues being available, we have seen an increase in the number of church weddings over the last few years," said Anni Holden, Director of Communications for the Diocese.

In 2005, the latest year the diocese has figures for, 710 church weddings took place, building on the 640 in 2004 and far higher than the 540 church weddings in 2002.

The Diocese of Hereford has more than 400 churches, most of them Grade I and Grade II listed buildings across Herefordshire, south Shropshire, parts of Worcestershire and twelve parishes in Wales. They have been venues for weddings for hundreds of years and provide a superb backdrop for 21st century photographs.

"The diocese also recently staffed a stand at a local wedding show, one of the largest in the county of Herefordshire," added Ms Holden. "It was an idea we have been thinking about and after that experience, well look out for us at other shows. We felt it was very worthwhile."

The decision to take part in a local show coincides with the development of a new National Weddings Project in the Church of England co-ordinated from London. This includes the provision of materials for wedding stands. It also coincides with a proposed change in the rules, giving more flexibility in the church or churches couples can choose to get married in.

"The national figures are perhaps a reflection of more urban trends and that while we have such beautiful buildings in such superb settings we can easily compete in the wedding market," said Ms Holden. "I think the Church in rural areas also still plays a bigger role in people's lives; we have as many Rogationtide services,when people walk the boundaries of the parish, as carol services in a rural diocese like Hereford."