A mystery couple's wedding plans could be in jeopardy because a churchwarden can't read his own handwriting. In November, Brian Mutlow, the churchwarden at St Mary the Virgin Church, wrote down the names of a couple who are due to marry this summer. But now he can only recognise their Christian names - Emma and Stephen.

Mr Mutlow, who is also county manager for the Prince's Youth Business Trust, said: "Quite often I can't read my own writing. I picked up my bad writing habit while working as a tax inspector for 44 years. I can't operate computers so I'll probably have to write everything in block capitals from now on."

The rector, Canon Roger Knight, desperately needs to contact the couple well before their big day on July 10, to enable legal papers to be prepared. He said:"I am saying my prayers because we need the couple to come forward as everything from bellringers to calling the Banns needs to be organised well before the wedding. I hope this appeal through the ET will flush them out. Their Christian names are readable but that's about it."

Mr Knight, who joined the church just 11 days ago from St Peters Church in Irthlingborough, said: "This is certainly my biggest challenge since arriving!"