A large majority of Scottish people now support marriage equality.

According to the 2010 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, published yesterday, 61 per cent of people believe gays and lesbians should have the right to marry.

Respondents were asked whether “gay or lesbian couples should have the right to marry one another if they want to”.

Just 19 per cent said they disagreed, while 18 per cent said they neither agreed nor disagreed.

Previous poll figures show a marked increase in support for the issue.

In 2002, just 42 per cent of respondents said they backed the right of gays and lesbians to marry. This rose to 53 per cent in 2006.

The new SNP government has promised a consultation on the issue and Tim Hopkins of the Equality Network urged ministers to move quickly.

He told PinkNews.co.uk: “These results show that a Scottish government bill on equal marriage would have broad popular support.

“The Scottish government should ensure that their consultation on marriage equality starts quickly, and should be prepared to move to legislation as the next step.”