Ms Steinfeld said: "We are pleased that today's ruling has shown that the Government must act very soon to end this unfair situation.

"All three judges agreed that we're being treated differently because of our sexual orientation, and that this impacts our private and family life.

"All three rejected the argument that we could 'just get married'. All three emphasised that the Government cannot maintain the status quo for much longer - they are on borrowed time."

Ms Steinfeld said Lady Justice Arden accepted their case on almost every point.

"We lost on a technicality, that the Government should be allowed a little more time to make a decision. So there's everything to fight for, and much in the ruling that gives us reason to be positive and keep going."