The Church of England has condemned Cumbria County Council’s decision to allow civil ceremonies between gay couples in its register offices.

The council made the decision earlier this week to give legal recognition to same-sex couples’ commitment to one another under the Civil Partnership Act, due to come into force by December 5.

The council is, however, planning to go further than the new law requires in offering services that will be similar to wedding services.

Councillor Ian Stewart, Cumbria County Council spokesman for the Registrar’s Office, said: "Cumbria County Council celebrates diversity and aims to ensure that everyone in the county is treated with equity, tolerance and respect."

"Same-sex couples rightly expect the same level of service that we offer to couples entering a traditional marriage."

Maureen Todhunter, co-organiser of a homosexual Mardi Gras event to be held in Carlisle next year, praised the decision, heralding it "one of the best things that Cumbria County Council has ever done."

Churches in the area have, however, expressed disappointment and concern over the Council’s decision and its effect on the sanctity of marriage.

Carlisle Diocese spokesman Canon Richard Pratt said: "One anxiety about the civil partnerships legislation is that it may tend to erode the unique position of marriage. All Christians would be unhappy about this."

The Church has ruled out absolutely according equal status to same-sex and heterosexual marriages.

"Civil partnerships are not marriages," said Mr Pratt. He continued, "Indeed, the legislation for civil partnerships does not assume there is a sexual relationship at all."

Many of Cumbria’s 100 venues approved for marriage are expected to offer the ceremony. The demand for civil partnerships is on the rise in the UK, it was announced this week, with 80 couples registered in Brighton and 22 in the London Borough of Camden.

Lisburn Borough Council in County Antrim and Bromley Council in Kent have, however, banned the holding of civil ceremonies by gay couples.