A HUSBAND and wife team have been welcoming visitors from afar to the church of Holy Trinity in Weymouth.

Peter and Ann Rendall have been giving their spare time to run the ‘Ministry of Welcome’ for cruise ship passengers visiting the town while their ship docks at Portland Port.

After an unexpected group of tourist found themselves in the middle of a memorial service three years ago, Ann thought it would be a good idea to meet and greet them.

Peter said: "We got some other people involved from the congregation who have been a great help, and it's basically become our baby.We have had leaflets printed off in German, French, Italian and Spanish and all the translations have been done by different church members or people someone at the church knows."

Dedicated volunteers ensure that the church is open each time a cruise ship comes in, whether that is to have a look around, take a quite prayer or to light a candle.

Peter added: "The shuttle bus usually drops the passengers at the back of Brewers Quay which is important, if they were dropped at the seafront they may never get to sea old Weymouth and the bridge open.

"It gives use great pleasure just to be there and welcome them, even if we don’t recognise the language a handshake is universal."

The first cruise ship of the season, the Rotterdam, will arrive in the port on April, 26.