GAYS IN RACE TO BE MARRIED

Civil partnerships for same-sex couples will become legal on Monday, December 5, with the first such ceremonies taking place on Wednesday, December 21.

Anthony Cavanagh and Robin Jackson are set to make history when they become the first couple to have the ceremony at Worcester's Register Office.

The lavish occasion will start with the couple, who are from Droitwich, arriving in style in a classic French 1940s limousine.

Robin will wear a gold brocade coat, with a gold waistcoat and gold cravat, while Anthony will have a black brocade jacket, gold waistcoat and gold rouche.

They will enjoy a champagne and canap reception, lunch and the cutting of a two-tier wedding cake.

Robin said that he and Anthony, aged 45, were thrilled that they could finally seal their relationship.

"It's exciting that we are making this commitment and it's about time that this law came in," said the 40-year-old.

"It's brilliant, it's like the icing on the cake."

Meridy Swann and Abba Flint will both be brides on their special day. They will wear white dresses and carry bouquets for the 9.30am ceremony, which is at the same location.

The couple, also of Droitwich, have been together for 18 months and will enjoy a traditional hotel reception after the ceremony.

Meridy, aged 30, said: "We're ecstatic. It's nice that we met each other and got to that stage of our relationship at the time this came in."

Abba, aged 22, said: "I think it's brilliant that gay people can have a future and have all that they dreamed of."

David Canning and Michael Elliman are set to seal their relationship at Evesham Register Office at 10am.

Michael, aged 59, who is an Evesham town councillor, said: "This ceremony will now put us on an equal footing with married couples.

"It will be the normal rules for everybody, which is the equality we've been after for a long time."

The partnerships will give couples the same rights as heterosexuals with regard to pensions, inheritance tax and capital gains tax.