Same-sex couples in civil partnerships will be able to convert their relationships to marriages for free from 10 December, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid has told MPs.

Mr Javid said the cost of conversion would be waived for one year for couples who entered into a civil partnership before same-sex marriages were allowed.

The Conservative MP informed the House during question time on 3 July 2014 that draft regulations would be laid before Parliament that day.

Same sex marriages in England and Wales have been allowed to take place since March, after the law was changed by the government.

The Scottish Parliament passed a bill in February to allow same-sex weddings to take place in Scotland. The first gay and lesbian weddings could take place this autumn.

Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK which has not passed a law to introduce same-sex marriage.

Heterosexual couples who want to recognise their relationship as a civil partnership rather than a marriage will not be granted permission, following consultation.