Marriage was hailed as the "greatest institution" by Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks at a dinner hosted by the Jewish Marriage Council in Mill Hill.

Speaking at Hasmonean High School for Girls, Lord Sacks addressed nearly 300 supporters of the Hendon-based counselling charity, now in its 65th year, which also runs Connect, a Jewish dating service, and courses for engaged couples.

Lord Sacks said: "Helping to mend families and prepare couples for marriage is nothing less than holy work." He added: "Judaism is unique in its commitment to the sanctity of marriage and the JMC is therefore one of the most important institutions we have."

JMC chairman Judge Martyn Zeidman QC, who organised the event to raise greater awareness of the charity, said: "Because all our work is done in confidentiality, we can't always explain to the wider public how important it is. But the JMC can support the Jewish family in many ways."