THE chances of divorcees in south Warrington walking down a church aisle for the second time have been given a heavenly boost.

For the first time, church leaders in the Chester diocese have agreed that divorcees can re-marry in church, following a vote of the Diocesan Synod.

A total of 132 people voted for the new policy, with just five voting against and two abstaining.

The exact details of the process are still to be confirmed, but the fact that the diocese has approved the principle means that many clergy who, in the past, have declined to re-marry divorcees will be free to consider such requests.

It has always been the case that individual members of the clergy can choose whether or not to re-marry divorcees, but the vast majority have waited on guidance from the diocese before deciding and this new policy has opened the door.

The Rt Rev Dr Peter Foster, the Bishop of Chester, said: "I am delighted that the synod has taken this decision. I think the strength of the vote shows that the church is able to respond with care to those who live in our parishes."

The synod, which represents more than 300 churches in south Warrington, Cheshire, Stockport, south Trafford, south Tameside and Wirral, and is made up of laypeople, has called for the policy to be developed and adopted nationally.