Croydon is hoping to become one of the first places in the country to hold civil partnership ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples.

The move has been welcomed by one couple who are hoping to have a civil ceremony of their own once the law comes into force in December.

Roger Burg, and his partner of seven years Ross Burgess, have already notified Croydon Council of their interest in having a civil ceremony.

The couple, both members of Croydon Area Gay Society (CAGS), signed the London Partnership Register after it was established in 2001 but the new law means same-sex couples will receive the same treatment in a range of legal matters as men and women who enter into a civil marriage.

Mr Burg, 55, said: "We have been campaigning for this for years. It means there are a range of matters where there will be legal parity with opposite-sex couples."

The Civil Partnerships Act comes into force on December 5, although there is a 15-day waiting period, meaning the first civil partnerships can be legally performed in Croydon on December 21.

The council is asking couples to contact the town's registry office.

Couples interested in a civil partnership ceremony should contact the borough's registry office by emailing civilpartnership@croydon.gov.uk or writing to Register Office, Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA.