THE Bishop of Salisbury Nicolas Holtam has congratulated same-sex couples who will be getting married following a change in the law, and has assured them of his prayers.

He said: “This is a new reality being undertaken by people who wish their relationships to have a formal status which embodies a commitment to them being faithful, loving and lifelong.

"These are virtues which the Church of England wants to see maximised in society. I therefore congratulate those who are getting married, assure them of my prayers, and wish them well in all that lies ahead.”