A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has backed controversial plans allowing unmarried and gay couples to adopt children.

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith led the way as MPs backed controversial plans to allow the changes in the country's adoption rules.

She defended the move in the face of strong opposition from the

Conservative Party, which dismissed the idea as "political correctness".

Ms Smith, a Government Health Minister, said the measures were about increasing the potential pool of adopters - not the right to adopt.

The rule change, she argued, was about providing a stable family home for children, which did not necessarily mean with a married couple.

"In the end this is not a debate about a right to adopt, it is not about political correctness, it is not about gay rights, it is not even about parents - it is about a child's chance of a family," she said.

Liberal Democrat Hereford MP Paul Keetch and independent Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor also supported the move. City MP Mike Foster also supports the law change, but was unable to take part in the vote.

Tories, Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, and Bill Wiggin, MP for Leominster, voted against.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, an Opposition whip, was a "teller" for those opposing the move.

The change, included in the Adoption and Children Bill was carried by a majority of 155.

But battle was due to be resumed today, when Conservative MP Robert Walter lays down an amendment to the changes which would specifically exclude gay people from the arrangement.

Under current law, only married couples and single people, including gay people, are allowed to adopt, however the new plans would mean cohabiting homosexuals will both be classed as legal guardians.

This prevents couples with a philosophical opposition to marriage from being able to jointly adopt a youngster.

It also bans people who belong to religions which do not allow divorce, but who are in a new relationship, from being able to adopt as a couple.

Alternatively, it is forcing some couples who had no plans to marry to do so, just so they can adopt jointly.