A LESBIAN couple have made history by declaring their life-long dedication to each other in the area's first commitment ceremony.

Kim Janes, 37, and Julie Walker, 43, exchanged vows and gold bands during an emotional service at The Guildhall in Weymouth surrounded by a handful of close friends and family.

The couple travelled to Dorset from their home in Grantham, Lincolnshire, for the ritual which bears all the hallmarks of a civil wedding but has no legal status.

It marks the first event of its kind in south and west Dorset.

Computer analyst Kim said: "It has been a lovely day despite a few nerves. This means as much to us as a wedding. It was emotional."

Julie, a photographer, added: "I hope this will encourage same sex couples to come forward and take the opportunity to do the same.

"It is a pledge that two people make to be together for the rest of their lives. We decided on Weymouth because it is lovely by the sea and it's a chance to have a small holiday. We are keen for the Government to make it legal so that we will be given the same rights as other couples."

After the ceremony the smiling couple continued their special day with a reception at The Cromwell House Hotel in West Lulworth.

They both agreed it was love at first sight when they met in March after Kim replied to Julie's advertisement in the lonely hearts section of a magazine describing herself as a "loving Libran". Julie proposed to Kim only two weeks later.

Celebrant Heather Downie, from Dorchester, who conducted the ceremony, said: "We hope more people will start having commitment ceremonies."