A KIDDERMINSTER couple will be the first in Wyre Forest to have an official same-sex wedding-style ceremony this month.

Under new legislation, Mandy Bonner and her partner of six years, Diane Pearson, will tie the knot in the town's register office on Wednesday, December 21.

The couple jumped at the chance of becoming the first to register when the Civil Partnership Act came into force on Monday. They now have to wait the statutory 15 days before the ceremony can take place.

Diane, 57, who has two older children from a previous relationship, said it would enable them to have the same legal rights as a married couple.

She added: "We decided to do it at the beginning of this year when we heard about the new legislation to enable us to have the same recognition as married couples for things such as life assurance and next of kin rights.

"It will make many things easier for us, including filling out forms - which we currently have to fill out separately - because we're not formally recognised as a couple.

"It's not only a good thing from a legal point of view but it also gives us the chance to show people that we are fully committed to this relationship."

Diane and Mandy, of Lea Street, first crossed paths while walking their dogs in 1999 and are both self-employed craft workers.

Both families have accepted the relationship and will join the couple for their civil partnership later this month.

Mandy, 40, added: "We're both very excited about the big day. It's going to be a small affair but will include some of our closest family and friends. We will exchange vows and have a buffet at my mother's house in the evening."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said six other couples across the county had registered an interest in having a civil partnership on the first available day - December 21.

Couples who form such a partnership will also enjoy the same treatment as married couples for employment and pension benefits, income-related benefits and inheritance tax.

The Government's deputy equality minister, Meg Munn, said: "The Government is committed to equality for everyone and that's why we introduced civil partnerships, to give legal recognition to committed relationships that, up to now, have been invisible in law.

"I'm pleased that same-sex couples will be able to get the recognition they should have."