Councillors have agreed to introduce a partnership register so people can register their relationships without getting formally married.

Brighton and Hove will be one of the first cities to have a register after one was started in London this month by mayor Ken Livingstone.

Although primarily designed for the gay and lesbian communities, registers can also be used by straight couples.

The idea was agreed without debate at a meeting of the council's policy and resources committee last night.

It was proposed by Liberal Democrat leader Paul Elgood who said: "Across all parties there was a genuine desire to see this implemented.

"Since we proposed the motion, more than 200 people have indicated their support for the register, many of them telling me how important registering their own partnership is.

"The council will be acting as a matchmaker, making dreams come true in the city."

Council officials will have to decide how the register will operate and where couples will be able to sign it.

Coun Elgood said the London register was self-funding at £85 a time and bookings were reported to be high.

He added: "I hope to see the first couples registering their relationships very soon, possibly before Christmas."