It is thought that the number of gay marriages and civil partnerships taking place in the UK is likely to continue at a steady pace this year.

Gino Meriano, gay rights campaigner for same-sex families and founder of the Gay Wedding Show, said that there have been some reports stating that civil partnerships were down by 46 per cent.

However, he claimed that this was "complete baloney" and in fact, there was an influx of marriages taking place in 2007 and 2008.

"You are looking at around about 11 to 12 or 13,000 a year," Mr Meriano stated. "That would be your standard number that you would expect because it's a niche market."

He added that he expects there to be between 800 and 1,000 civil partnerships taking place every month in 2010.

This year, the Gay Wedding Show took place on Sunday March 7th at St James's Hotel and Club in London and there was a 30 per cent increase in the number of visitors when compared to the previous event.

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