A TOWN centre church will hold its first same-sex marriage service this weekend.

Lindsey Allardice and Kiera Pearson will tie the knot at Bank Street Unitarian Chapel on Saturday afternoon.

It is believed that only one previous same sex marriage and one civil partnership conversion have previously taken place in churches in the borough.

The couple, who are Christians, said it was important to them to be married in a church, rather than a secular venue.

Ms Allardice said: “We met at church and we wanted God to be at the centre of our wedding and to be blessed in his house.”

Minister Stephen Lingwood, who will conduct the services added: “I was campaigning, along with other Unitarians, for years to achieve marriage equality.

“It is important for us as Unitarians to say that same sex relationships are as holy as different sex relationships.”

He added: “God delights in this wedding day and so do I.”