TEN couples are set to make history as they are married at the same time on the first day the law allows it.

All the couples are civil partners and will convert existing partnerships into marriages at 10am on Wednesday, with a celebration at Brighton Town Hall.

December 10 is when the amendment to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act comes into effect and will allow civil partners to take up the option to be married.

One of the couples is Ian Scott and Ron Williams, who live in Brighton.

They met in the 1960s and had no idea five decades ago that one day they would be legally able to marry.

Mr Scott, 70, said: “Never, ever did I think that it would be possible for us to be married. Now here we are 52 years later about to do just that. “At the time of our civil partnership in 2006 it seemed as if that was as far as we could go.

“Not so. December 10 will be a very special day indeed.”

Mr Williams said the wedding will be “better late than never”.

The 82-year-old said: “When I met Ian in the spring of 1962 I would not, in my wildest dreams, have imagined that one day we would be able to marry.

“Now 52 years on, we will have equality of opportunity with straight people. We thank all the campaigners who struggled for LGBT equality over many years.”

Linda Holm, the council’s superintendent registrar, said they have already had 150 couples sign up for the conversion.

Ollie Sykes, lead councillor for city services, said: “This is another great day for Brighton and Hove marriage equality.

“I congratulate the ten happy couples and I would also thank all of the couples for helping us celebrate the final step in law towards marriage equality.”