THE Bishop of Blackburn has slammed television soap operas for failing to depict long-lasting marriages.

As Coronation Street's Ashley and Maxine finally tied the knot, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters said marriage was for life - not just a short-term affair.

Speaking at a meeting of the Blackburn Diocese Synod, Bishop Chesters compared modern-day marriages to failed soap opera relationships.

He said: "How do we present deep love and responsibility for children, which life-long marriage brings, in the face of relationships presented by EastEnders, Brookside or Coronation Street - where the only stable marriage seems to be that of Jack and Vera Duckworth?"

The Bishop, addressing Anglican leaders at St Christopher's High School, Accrington, backed the marriage message recently issued by the Church of England.

He urged parishes to be involved in marriage preparations and help groups offering support to married couples.

He added: "We must encourage our people to present life-long marriage as the God-given ideal for human relationships in their marriages.

"Marriage is not an invention of the Church or any religion, but from a Christian viewpoint it is given as part of the creative order for our well-being and happiness.

"That is why the marriage of a man and a woman is deemed the norm of human relationships and all other relationships are judged by that.

"Marriage does not just involve two people. It is the interlocking of a series of relationships and obligations, for the good of children and the need for stable relationships in a healthy society."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.