A COURSE aimed at transforming marriages is to be held in Durham Cathedral.

The Marriage Course, a seven-week course tackling many of the most challenging areas of marriage - money, communication, forgiveness, in-laws and sex - will start in the Cathedral’s Undercroft restaurant on Thursday, September 23.

Each week will begin with couples sharing a romantic candlelit supper. There will be a short talk, film clips and chances to talk. Each couple is only required to talk to each other - no group work is involved.

The Marriage Course was started in 1996 by Nicky and Sila Lee at Holy Trinity Brompton church, in London. This course is being staged by Bethany Christian Centre.

The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham, said: "The Undercroft restaurant is a wonderful space in which to hold events of many kinds and we are glad that the Bethany Christian Centre has chosen to hold this marriage course at the Cathedral.

"In these days of high separation and divorce rates, encouraging couples to work at the challenges of sustaining close committed relationships is extremely worthwhile - for them, for their children and for the wellbeing of society as a whole."

The course is open to married and cohabitng couples and costs £30 per couple per week, including all meals. Each session begins at 7pm. For more information, call Louise Vardy on 0191-512-1234.