AN ELDERLY gay couple have been granted their Christmas wish, the chance to make their 32-year relationship "honest".

Alan Ashmole, 74, and Ivan Rowland, 68, last week became one of the first couples in the borough to exchange vows in a new civil partnership ceremony.

The pair say they were delighted to tie the knot on the day gay marriages' became law across England.

Mr Ashmole and Mr Rowland, of Codrington Hill, Forest Hill, married at a ceremony at Lewisham Register Office, on December 21.

The couple first met on New Year's Eve in 1972, at a central London party hosted by mutual friends.

After a six-month courtship they bought a house together and more than 30 years on they say their relationship is stronger than ever.

Mr Ashmole, who was born in Southport, Lancashire, said: "The chemistry was there from the off. It really was love at first sight.

"We were gobsmacked when we found out we were one of the first to have the ceremony. It is a great Christmas present."

The couple hosted a party for close family and friends after the wedding, before flying out to spend the festive season in Switzerland.

They will have to wait until April for their honeymoon a month-long trip to Canada.

Mr Rowland said: "We have been together for a long time but our bond is as strong as ever. We can have a damn good row but still put the lights out and say goodnight to each other."

The former accountant added: "It is such a relief I can refer to Alan as my partner-in-law now and make an honest man of him.

"It always felt strange referring to him as my boyfriend at our age."

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Under the new Civil Partnership Act same-sex couples who register their relationships now have similar rights to married couples.

This means gay pairings enjoy the same inheritance, pension, tax and benefit rights as married couples.

Same-sex couples in the borough can enjoy a non- religious marriage' service at Lewisham Register Office, Lewisham High Street, with music, readings and the exchanging of vows.

So far 37 couples in Lewisham have signed up to have a civil partnership ceremony.

Lewisham Mayor Steve Bullock says the move is "a huge step forward".