Lovers Brenda Chandler and Lynn Moody are preparing to become one of England's first 'married' gay couples, 12 years after they first met at the Royal Mail.

The couple, from Bicester, had a blessing at St Columba's United Reformed Church, Oxford, last April, followed by a reception for 60 guests at the Littlebury Hotel, Bicester.

They now plan to make their partnership legally-binding by signing the civil register on December 21, the day the Act comes into effect.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 received Royal Assent on November 18, 2004, and entitles gay couples to the same legal treatment as heterosexuals.

Until now gay couples have had few, if any, relationship rights. Couples living together for decades, sharing property and even children have not even been able to act as next of kin.

Under new laws, couples signing the civil register will take on a duty to provide reasonable maintenance for their civil partner and any children.

They will be treated in the same way as spouses for tax purposes and child support and be entitled to life assurance, employment and pension benefits. They will also be the official next of kin.

Last week, the Oxford Mail featured Vicky Hill and Hayley Marlow, from Banbury, and David King and Louis Letourneau, from Oxford, who also intend to sign the civil register.

Brenda, 54, and Lynn, 45, can't wait to sign on the dotted line.

Brenda said: "It's about time this happened. The civil partnership makes everything simpler.

"We had a blessing because we wanted a union recognised by the church. We knew the civil partnerships were being discussed, but we thought it would actually be a long time coming."

The women will make their contract at The Garth in Bicester, in front of friends and family, including Brenda's two children.

Brenda said: "Lynn always knew she was gay but I was a late developer.

"We were friends for years before we got together five years ago. We both still work for Royal Mail and they have been great."