Statistics show that people are putting off marriage until they are older.

But at one Bradford church yesterday a very young couple were celebrating their "big day" during a mock wedding to help teach youngsters about the sanctity of marriage.

While most people twice their age are normally only taking their first tentative steps towards romance, Chloe Lumb and Liam Puc were pledging to love, honour and obey - even though they are only eight-years-old.

The youngsters, from Kidzone playscheme at the Rycroft Community Centre, Holme Wood, had been enjoying a week of activities based around the subject of celebrations.

On Monday they were visited by Canon Gordon Dey who gave a talk on the topic of marriage.

Deputy unit leader, Danielle Dixon, said: "We looked at the subject of marriage and then decided it would be quite good to teach the children about it in a unique way- by getting the children to stage their own wedding ceremony.

"When we first asked for volunteers we didn't get much response from the kids, but two children, Liam and Chloe, who are both friends, said that they would do it.

"Since then they have all really got into it and everyone has got involved, including the parents."

The rest of the week was spent making wedding outfits for Liam Puc and Chloe Lumb. And yesterday the bride and groom were "married" at a special ceremony at St Christopher's Church, Holme Wood.

Mrs Dixon said: "It's been absolutely fantastic. We've had help from everyone and made outfits for the bride and groom. We've had a great response. The bride looked beautiful and there were a few tears shed.

"There are many youngsters here who come from broken homes but we wanted to teach them about the sanctity of marriage and how important it is. We thought the best way to do that was to stage a real marriage."

The happy couple then celebrated their reception with friends and family.