The prayers of vicars' husbands across the region hope to be answered with the launch of a quirky new website.

The site - cucumbersandwiches.org - supports men who find themselves in a role formerly filled by stereotypically patient wives, dressed in a twin set and pearls, making jam and attending The Mothers Union.

With more than 60 female clergy in the Diocese of Durham alone, there is no shortage of husbands taking on a domestic role while the wives make the parish visits.

John Shedden, whose wife Val is the vicar of St Mary's Heworth, Gateshead, said he'd be interested in visiting the site after 20 years supporting her in the clergy.

Semi-retired Mr Shedden, 49, has worked for much of his professional life as a teacher and helped in bring up two children.

"Fortunately I'm not expected to fit into the traditional vicar's wife role. As far as I'm aware there is no role of a vicar's husband - I don't make jam or run The Mother's Union."

Rev Shedden was ordained to Deaconess in the early 1980's and then to priesthood in 1994. Over the years her family have moved between vicarages in Spennymoor, Darlington, Bishop Middleham and Heworth.

"We maybe wouldn't have moved s much if I hadn't been a vicar. But John is eternally patient and really supportive," she said.

"It can be hard for him, especially with all the phone calls and visit, but I try to protect him and our daughters as much as I can and have meetings away from the vicarage."

The website has been set up by Brian Irvine, whose wife Cate is a curate in Romsey, Hampshire.

On the light-hearted Internet site clergy-husbands are encouraged to set up a profile about themselves, advised on how to escape involvement within the parish and even given a history lesson into ancient apostle-husbands.

They are also given tips on how to handle teens and toddlers in the church, including taking chalk for them to colour in the letters of the gravestones - and a wet wipe to clear away the evidence.