ABOUT 50 couples of all ages, from across the county, came to Worcester Cathedral on St Valentine's Day to renew their marriage vows (above). At a short service in the Lady chapel, they sang popular wedding hymns, including "Love divine" and "Lord of all hopefulness", and listened to the well-known words about love in St Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.

The Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd David Walker, reminded them that, like the cathedral, marriages were built to last, but it needed effort and energy to make that happen, and for it to look effortless from outside.

Mrs Peters, who had attended with her husband, said: "The service was lovely. It was in a format recognisable to all who were married in a church, and with hymns that everyone knew." She said that it was their 40th wedding anniversary this year, and they came to renew their vows be- cause they valued their relationship, and wanted it to keep growing stronger.

After the ceremony, with vows confirmed, every couple was given Fairtrade chocolate hearts as a gift.