Same-sex couples sign registers

The couple opted for a traditional-style wedding ceremony

Twelve same-sex couples have tied the knot in civil partnership ceremonies across Kent under new laws.

Each of the 10 register offices across Kent had a ceremony, and two were held in the separate authority of Medway.

Across the county, 110 more ceremonies are planned, according to figures obtained by BBC Radio Kent.

The Civil Partnership Act gives legal recognition to same-sex partnerships. Campaigners say the law ends inequalities for same-sex couples.

The government has predicted that up to 22,000 gay couples will take civil partnership in the first five years.

In Maidstone, registrar Annette Marston said it was the first civil ceremony she had performed.

I never thought I would see the day when we would be legally recognised Jane Bevan

She said their first couple had been special because they had helped to put together the written ceremonies that other couples can choose to include in their registration.

Linda Nelson and Jane Bevan, a Kent police constable, became the first couple in Maidstone to tie the knot.

They opted for a traditional-style wedding with Linda in a white wedding dress and Jane in a black evening suit.

Before the ceremony, Linda said: "I'm terrified, absolutely terrified. I hardly slept last night. I'm just so nervous. It is such a big day."

She said: "It's just so important. It is not just the financial side, it is the next-of-kin rights and things like that."

Jane said: "I never thought I would see the day when we would be legally recognised."