Married couples have until Valentine's Day to enter the Dunmow Flitch Trials and put their love to the test.

The Flitch Trials, which date back to the 1100s, are held every four years and award a flitch (or side of bacon) to a couple from anywhere in the world who have been married for a year and a day.

Couples - including same-sex couples - must satisfy a judge and a jury of six maidens and six bachelors that in 'twelvemonth and a day' they have 'not wisht themselves unmarried again'.

Successful couples are carried in the ancient Flitch Chair to Market Place, while unsuccessful couples are consoled with a prize of gammon.

The event is believed to be unique in the world, and was referred to by Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales.

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Applications must be in by Wednesday, February 14. Forms are available at www.dunmowflitchtrials.co.uk.

The Flitch Trials take place on Saturday, July 13. Tickets are sold cash-only at Flitch Travel in Dunmow High Street, or on the Dunmow Flitch Trials website.

This year there will be three trial sessions - a single trial in the morning, two trials during the afternoon session and two in the evening.