A SURVEY among brides-to-be has revealed that 60 per cent want a religious ceremony, but only two per cent will keep their chastity until they are married.

The Monkbar Hotel, York, carried out the survey at a wedding fair, with 70 per cent saying they would not include "obey" in their vows and 80 per cent confirming they would not enter into a pre-nuptial agreement.

The Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Richard Seed, said: "There has been an increase in civil ceremonies in the past ten to 15 years, but equally the Church has not been abandoned in favour of civil ceremonies.

"Couples today have more choice where they want to hold their ceremony, which appears to have translated into more respect for the Church as couples are taking their wedding vows and ceremony more seriously."