COUPLES getting ready for a long and happy union are to be given a hi-tech helping hand at York Register Office - with a marriage preparation video.

Organisers believe York Register Office, in Bootham, is the first in the country to begin showing the short promotional video and they expect other offices around the country to follow their lead.

Every couple marrying in York, whether in a religious or civil ceremony, is offered marriage preparation which community leaders believe helps couples remain together.

Lynden Askew, of Family Matters York, a charity that works to improve the quality of family life and reduce the divorce rate in the city, said positive marriage preparation can help a strengthen a couple's relationship.

She said: "We are hoping to increase considerably the number of engaged couples whom we can support at this key stage in their relationship."

Her colleague, Robin Watson, said England was following many towns in the U.S. which have reduced their divorce rates by up to 40 per cent through preparing couples before they marry.

He said there were 17 other towns in England, as well as York, where marriage preparation is being offered to all engaged couples.

The video, which was filmed in the south of England, is designed to encourage couples to participate in marriage preparation he added.

He said such preparation could help couples develop life and relationship skills that could help them survive the challenges presented to them by marriage. The charity has donated the television to York Registry Office while the video was funded by a grant from the Lord Chancellor's Office.

Rob Livesey, York's Registrar of Marriages, said the video was an "important initiative" which could help couples stay together for longer. He added that he was increasing the amount of time he allocated to see couples so he could recommend taking part in some form of marriage preparation.

Updated: 12:52 Friday, January 10, 2003