By Gemma Sterba BBC News, Brighton

Roger and Keith headed to their wedding venue in a black cab

To laughter and applause from his friends and family, the Sussex officer, 57, and his partner, 64, were finally granted their wish to have their relationship recognised as a civil partnership.

Instead of the pink and white limos that had brought Debbie and Elaine Gaston and Gino Meriano and Mike Ullett to the historic ceremony, Roger and Keith arrived in a black cab that had to be ordered as it was too wet to walk from their hotel to Brighton Town Hall.

But the rain could not dampen the mood of the three couples who simultaneously signed the official documents that made their partnerships legal on the stroke of eight o'clock.

Roger and Keith first met on Eastbourne seafront in 1991.

"I was sitting on a seat and Keith was walking by, we just started to talk and it all went from there," Roger explained.

The couple never thought they would see the day when same sex couples would legally be able to tie the knot.

Family and friends laughed as Roger stumbled over his lines

"We always talked about it but we never thought it would come," said Keith.

But after the Civil Partnerships Act became legal on 5 December Roger and Keith were at the front of the queue to register their relationship.

It was for this reason they were invited to become one of the first couples in England and Wales to take their vows.

The Gay Men's Chorus were in festive mood as they greeted guests of Roger and Keith, serenading them with Let's Fall In Love and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

The service was witnessed by Richard Lovegrove, a close friend of Keith's, and Roger's sister, Margaret Bourne.

An emotional Mrs Bourne said: "It's absolutely brilliant, It's wonderful to know my younger brother - my baby as I call him - is happy.

"It's taken a while but he's happy and I'm pleased for both of them."

During the half hour ceremony both Roger and Keith stumbled over their words but then again most weddings are not witnessed by camera crews and dozens of reporters from across the world.

The couple described their long awaited day as "superb"

Speaking after the service, the couple described their big day as "superb".

Meg Munn MP, the Minister for Equality, said the ceremonies meant that civil partners could finally enjoy the legal recognition and benefits that heterosexual married couples have.

"They were invisible but from today they have the security and I can't think of anything more important," she added.

When the act became law in Northern Ireland on Monday protesters against the unions were out in force - but in the self-styled gay capital of the UK all those gathered outside were well-wishers.

The Roman Catholic Church - and others - have said that "gay weddings" undermine the importance and unique status of marriage which they believe is best for individuals, society and children.

Roger Lewis acknowledged that many people disagree with their union, saying: "I suppose everyone can object but we're just very happy.

"It's a breakthrough for us, for other people as well as for the future."

Two weeks ago a terminally ill man from Brighton received special permission to go ahead with a ceremony before the normal 15-day waiting period after registration.