Dubbed the "Virtual Vicar", Rev Jan Harney is part of the Church of England's attempt to lure couples up the aisle and persuade them a church wedding is an option.


They launched a special website, www.yourchurchwedding.org, at the beginning of October to help couples plan service offering readings, special words and hymns.


Rev Harney is available through the site, where she answers questions about church weddings and married life, and runs a blog to keep the community up to date with her work.


Rev Harney, of Green Lane in Leigh, said: "A lot of people are worried about what they will have to say at a church ceremony, or worry they'll be made to say certain things.
"But they can actually read the words on the site and it's reassuring.

"If people are not sure about hymns they can actually listen to them online and they can build their whole church service online."
Since the C of E's Marriage Measure law came in to force on October 1, couples who want to marry away from their own church no longer have to be seen to go to their chosen church for six months before they can marry there.


With anywhere from football grounds to hotels now competing to host people's weddings, the Church of England has a battle on its hand to hold on to the ceremonies.
But Rev Harney is well qualified to spearhead the fight and already boasts what must surely be one of the biggest flocks in the country, with around 10,000 people a month visiting her at www.newlyweds-uk.com over the last two years.
"In the end, we just want to make the church more welcoming." added Jan.
"We don't own the church, the church belongs to people and they don't need to feel shy about coming to us."