The Scottish Episcopal Church has voted to back same-sex marriage, making it the first Anglican church in the UK to do so.

The vote, described as a "momentous step" by the head of the church, means gay Christians from any Anglican Church can now ask to be married in a Scottish Anglican Church.

It constitutes a landmark amendment to canon law on marriage, removing the stipulation that it is between a man and a woman.

Clergy who wish to officiate at gay marriages will have to “opt-in”, meaning those who disagreed with gay marriage would be protected and not have to act against their conscience.

In response to the vote, Rev David Chilingworth, head of the Scottish Episcopal Chruch, said: “The step we have taken today is a momentous one.

"By removing gender from our marriage canon, our church now affirms, as its official position, that same-sex couple are not just married, but are married in the sight of God.”