Not even the only gay couple in the village...

4.27.13pm GMT Sun 5th Mar 2006

Official figures show that same-sex couples have registered 3,648 civil partnerships in England and Wales in the space of two months, since same-sex partnerships became legally recognised in December 2005.

Brighton and Hove was the Registration Authority where most civil partnerships were formed (126) followed by Westminster (121) and Kensington and Chelsea (105).

"It will come as no surprise that the single local authority with the most Registered Civil Partnerships in the first two months was Brighton", commented DELGA Chair Kelvin Meyrick. "However what the figures reflect is just how widespread takeup has been, not only in the obvious places such as Brighton and Manchester but across every county."

"Civil Partnerships were considered controversial when the Lib Dems first made them Party policy six years ago. It is great to see them become law and allowing so many same-sex couples to have their loving relationships recognised in law."