A WESTY couple taking advantage of new laws allowing gay couples to tie the knot say it will be like 'wining the lottery'.

Deborah Wheeler, aged 27, and Kim Elcoat, aged 42, have wanted to wed since they got together four years ago but until now have been unable to sign up for the same benefits which heterosexual couples get on their wedding day.

But, thanks to a change in the law which will come into force on December 21, the couple now plan to hold a civil partnership ceremony in January at Warrington Register office.

The ceremony is not termed as a gay marriage, but registration is only available for homosexual couples and closely follows a marriage contract. After taking part, gay people will be granted the next-of-kin rights in hospitals and given the benefit of a dead partner's pension and exemption from inheritance tax.

Ms Wheeler said: "We just want something to be legally recognised and there is so much added benefit for us as well. I think a lot of people will take advantage of the new law.

"We really would have liked to have it done in a church but we have waited so long that we just wanted to do it."

Ms Elcoat added: "It will be a big event, I have never wanted a blessing because you can just walk away from that."

The pair are due to go and register their banns in December and hope to find out more about the ceremony then. They were told by the superintendent that they were the first couple in the town to set a date.

The couple hope that their partnership ceremony will eventually help to pave the way for them to receive IVF treat ment on the NHS.

Ms Elcoat d: "It's like a dream, something you have wanted for so long, coming true."