Plans to hold the UK's first gay weddings at midnight have been shattered.

The Government has decided that the three couples due to make history in Brighton on Wednesday' December 21' will have to wait another eight hours before tying the knot.

The marriages' made legal for the first time by the new Civil Partnership Bill' were supposed to take place as the clock chimed 12.

But a last-minute change has been made to fit in with rules for heterosexual marriages' which can only be conducted between 8am and 6pm.

Those due to marry in a special ceremony at Brighton and Hove Register Office now face the prospect of rebooking venues and wedding cars for 8am.

The Reverend Debbie Gaston' who is due to marry her partner of 16 years' Elaine Cook' had not been told of the change before she was contacted by The Argus.

The couple had their relationship blessed in 1996 but have had to wait for an official ceremony.

They had been planning to renew their vows and have a party on the evening of Tuesday' December 20.

Ms Gaston of the Metropolitan Community Church in Cumberland Road' Brighton' said the change could mean some guests would find it hard to attend if they have to work on the Wednesday.

She said: "What a shame. Everything has been on hold because we were not sure if this would happen."

The couple were invited by Brighton and Hove City Council to be among the first to have a civil partnership ceremony.

Ms Gaston said: "Part of the reason was because I am a clergy person. I guess they thought it would make a point' which I agree it does."

The other couples getting married are Gino Meriano and his partner Mike Ullett' and Sussex Police employee Roger Lewis and his partner Keith Willmott-Goodall.

They will all be married at the same time and each couple will be allowed to take ten people into the register office. Mr Meriano' who runs Pinks Weddings in Weybridge' Surrey' said: "We have a party planned. It was meant to be the night before. I am not sure whether we are now going to have a brunch party.

"It is a bit disappointing because a midnight wedding would be funky but I guess that is the law.

"I am not cross' I am disappointed. It is my wedding day. I want it to be how I want it to be.

"It was a great idea. Now we can't have it for midnight. That was one of the wonderful aspects of it' over and above getting our legal rights."

Brighton and Hove has taken 182 bookings for gay weddings in the four weeks following December 21.

Debra Reynolds' additional superintendent registrar' who will conduct one of the first ceremonies' said: "It will not affect our plans to be the first city to host a gay wedding in the UK. It just means we will be having a wedding breakfast instead of a midnight feast."

City councillor Simon Burgess said: "We pioneered the launch of the pink wedding waiting list a year ago when more than 260 gay and lesbian couples registered their intention to be wed when the law changes. Now we want to be the first city in the UK to celebrate this major step forward for equality."