Plans to make same-sex marriages legal in Scotland have been announced.

The proposals have been outlined by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

This is despite fierce criticism from some religious groups.

They are being backed by politicians from all of the main Scottish parties.

The British government is also considering similar proposals.

The UK introduced same-sex civil partnerships back in 2005 which provide for the legal consequences of marriage.

Whereas similar measures came into effect here with the Civil Partnership Act on January 1st 2011.