The Reverend Debbie Gaston and Elaine Cook never thought they would get married.

But after of a change in the law, they are preparing to tie the knot in one of the first gay weddings in England.

When they first met 20 years ago, Ms Cook was in an unhappy marriage, while Ms Gaston was trying to repress her sexuality because it clashed with the Christian principles she was brought up with.

But now, having been together for 16 years, they will be one of three gay couples to take advantage of the Civil Partnership Bill a minute after midnight on December 21 at Brighton Register Office.

Ms Gaston, 46, of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Brighton, said: "We can't get over it, we're just so excited."

However, it has not been an easy journey for the Worthing couple.

They first met in a church in Harrow, north London, where Ms Gaston worked. Their friendship began to blossom but, as both are religious, they tried to suppress their feelings, before deciding they had to be together.

For four difficult years they felt they were turning their backs on God and, although they did not tell people about their relationship, people at the church became suspicious, which sparked hurt, gossip and a lack of understanding.

It was only when Ms Gaston discovered the MCC that they found they could combine their faith with their relationship, which was a turning point for them.

Since then, the couple have done all they can within the legal framework to be as married as possible - giving each other power of attorney, naming each other in their wills and Ms Cook, 53, changing her name to Gaston by deed poll.

But it fell short of the rights they would have had as a married couple.

Ms Gaston, who has married 30 couples, including Ms Cook's son and his bride last year, said: "When this became law I thought great, at last they have to recognise us'.

"It will be good for society to realise we're not playing games because I think that's what some people think."

She would like gay marriages in church to be made legal so the same range of choices available to heterosexual couples are open to gay couples. But she thinks this could take time.

She said: "Civil marriages will make people think. I've had some lovely emails - even one from a Father in the Church of England who was thrilled, saying it is time the hypocrisy of the Church was seen."

The couple's wedding plans are beginning to take shape. They are melting Ms Gaston's parents' wedding rings to make new ones for the wedding. The ceremony will be preceded by a renewal of their blessing vows and followed by a reception.