Vicar Peter Guinness is taking his duties seriously when giving away his daughter at her wedding today.

To ensure Abby gets to the church on time, he will be personally driving her there and - once he has walked her up the aisle - he will be stepping over to the other side of the altar to conduct the service.

Mr Guinness, of St Mark's Church, Gillingham, knows he will have his work cut out for him when 33-year-old Abby marries Ben Kinslow.

But he said: "A wedding should not be all about the trappings. It's about a partnership and it's wonderful to be a part of your children's partnership."

The couple are getting married at St Luke's Church in Maidstone where the vicar, the Rev Chris Key, has agreed to hand over his responsibilities for the ceremony.

He said: "The only thing I won't be able to do is prepare the marriage registers which is something I would normally be expected to do."

The nuptials of actress Abby and Ben promise to be very much a family affair with mother Michele, 64, an author, in the front pew.

Mr and Mrs Guinness's granddaughter will be a bridesmaid and their two grandsons will be page boys.

Mr Guinness said: "Abby asked me to conduct the service and I did not hesitate. After all, my dad conducted my service. And there would not have been any shortage of offers as we had 30 vicars in the congregation.

"One thing Abby has asked me to do before the wedding is to give the family Toyota a good clean and polish. So I shall add that to the list."