Same-sex couple plan Shropshire wedding

The pair will tie the knot at The Valley Hotel in Ironbridge in August, after a five-year relationship.

Lois, 40, and Sharon, 49, are one of five couples who registered to marry in Telford.

They have taken advantage of a law that comes into effect today to allow same-sex marriage.

Lois said: "We had talked about marriage but it was not something I thought I would ever see in my lifetime. Our families had been egging us on for a long time. Every time there was a family wedding they'd say 'It will be you two next.' But Sharon actually popped the question last year."

Sharon romantically asked Lois to be her wife while they were staying in a shepherd's hut in Ironbridge to celebrate her 40th birthday.

Sharon, who works in the breeding department at David Austin Roses in Albrighton, said: "I put the ring on a piece of string in this little bag and tied a message to it which said 'You have my whole heart for my whole life'. Luckily she said yes."

Sharon had actually been so worried about asking Lois, the first person she called was the person who had made the rings, to reassure her she'd got the answer she was hoping for.

Lois, who works as a PA for a promotions company in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, said: "It was lovely.

"The day after we were having a big picnic with family for my birthday and so we told them all the good news then."

"It was a double celebration," added Sharon.

The couple, who live in Donnington, are now getting even more help from family as they prepare for their nuptials and have said the staff at the Valley Hotel have been "amazing" helping them prepare for their big day.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act came into force in July last year.

But it was not until March 13 this year when couples were able to register their intention to marry.

The first same sex marriage ceremonies took place just after midnight today.