A county councillor has made history as one half of the first civil partnership in Surrey to convert into a marriage.

Surrey Comet:

Councillor Christian Mahne, 41, Surrey County Councillor for Weybridge and St George's Hill, and his partner Philip Hoare, 33, were first in the county to officially tie the knot by scheduling their ceremony for 9.45am on Wednesday.

The pair have been together since 2006 and formed a civil partnership in February 2011.

Coun Mahne said: "I'm really pleased Philip and I have the opportunity to convert (the official term - I prefer 'upgrade') our civil partnership to a full marriage.

"I'm really proud to be a councillor in a time and place that celebrates and embraces equality. People who commit to each other shouldn't be treated differently on the basis of gender, so tomorrow is a very welcome step.

"I'm pleased and grateful that there is now one type of union available to all. The warm response from my councillors when the news was announced was a joy. I'm pleased we live and I serve in the county of Surrey."

The first same sex marriages in England and Wales took place on Saturday, March 29, this year.

The couple's civil partnership ceremony was an "extravaganza" at the top of the Gherkin in London, but Wednesday's was a simpler affair at Weybridge Register Office followed by lunch at home.

Coun Mahne said: "Two marriages to the same person, without a dissolution in the middle. Burton and Taylor would be proud."