GAY couples will be able to 'marry' in Monmouth-shire from next Monday - and five of them have already booked their ceremonies.

The new civil partnership legislation gives them the same rights in law as married couples, said the county's superintendent registrar, Julie Hole, who has been sitting on the working group with government officials.

But the gay couples will have to wait 15 days before they can be united in law, Mrs Hole explained, and the first ceremonies cannot take place until Wednesday, December 21.

She would not reveal where the five same-sex couples had booked for their civil partnership ceremonies, because she wished to retain their right to privacy.

Apart from the register office in Abergavenny - which is the only one in Monmouthshire - there is a ceremony room at High Trees, Chepstow, and hotels such as the Glen yr Afon in Usk, Llansantf-fraed Court and the Angel in Abergavenny among the 18 places already licensed to hold ceremonies.

Mrs Hole said all their registrars were excited about the new law.

"I think it is fantastic because it gives people the same rights as married couples, which they did not have before, and I hate injustice.

"The new legislation which covers the whole of the UK and is the biggest piece of legislation that has ever happened in this department."