A CAMPAIGN spearheaded by Brighton MP Caroline Lucas to get mothers' names added to marriage certificates has been a success.

The Prime Minister David Cameron announced the reform to the system during a speech to the Relationships Alliance.

Currently details of the fathers of the bride and groom, including their occupations, are included in marriage registers in England and Wales but not those of the mothers.

The system has not changed since the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign.

Mr Cameron said it is “high time” the system was updated as it “doesn't reflect modern Britain” and he has asked the Home Office to find out how the issue can be addressed.

Ms Lucas said: “I’m delighted that the PM has at last responded to our campaign to allow mums on marriage certificates. Mothers must not be written out of their family history by way of an offensive and outdated law that treats marriage as a business transaction between fathers. “Now we need to make sure that the promised changes are available to everyone – it remains to be seen whether mums can be added to all previous marriage certificates or if the change will only apply to couples getting married from now onwards.”

In June, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion tabled an Early Day Motion calling for legislative changes that would include mothers’ names on marriage certificates. The move came after a campaign was launched by chartered accountant Ailsa Burkimsher Sadler to “stop women being written out of history”.