DUDLEY’S first gay married couple have spoken of their joy at being able to tie the knot after three years together.

Nurse Becky Billington-Green, aged 31 and 23-year old hairdresser Sarah-Louise Billington, a hairdresser, got married at Dudley’s Priory Hall on March 29, just hours after the law changed to permit same-sex weddings.

The couple, who have an 11-month-old son, got married just one week after they were at the same venue for a ceremony of commitment.

Sarah-Louise Billington, said: “It was just amazing but to be honest it’s nice it is all over and we can enjoy it and relax.”

The couple’s wedding was national news, they were among the first gay people to wed after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act became law at midnight – and Sarah said it felt really good to make history.

She added: “We didn’t expect all the coverage, now we are definitely going to remember being part of history.”

She also feels being able to get married is important for same-sex couples. She said: “It just makes us feel more equal, we are all humans, why shouldn’t we be able to have the same as heterosexual couples?”

They are among 11 same-sex couples who have registered to marry at Priory Hall.

Penny Fulford, superintendent registrar at Priory Hall, said: “We have had a steady stream of enquiries at Priory Hall about same sex marriages.

"The couples that we’ve talked to are thrilled to have the chance to get married rather than just have the option of a civil partnership. “We are delighted to be able to assist anyone who wants to publicly declare their love.”

Becky and Sarah, who live in Tipton, were double history-makers, they were also the first couple to take advantage of the grade-II listed venue’s buy one get one free ceremony offer.