The Scottish Episcopal Church has voted to allow same sex couples to marry in church.

The vote, which took place on Thursday, needed over two thirds of the church to approve the vote on Canon 31.

In approving the proposal, church members voted to remove the doctrinal clause which stated that marriage is a "union of one man and one woman".

It was replaced with a "conscience clause" which states: "In the light of the fact that there are differing understandings of the nature of marriage in this church, no cleric of this church shall be obliged to conduct any marriage against their conscience."

80% of Bishops, 67% of the Clergy and 80% of the Laity voted in favour to approve same sex marriages.

This makes them first mainstream Christian church in the UK to allow same sex marriages.

Responding to the vote the Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, said: "This is a momentous step.

"By removing gender from our marriage canon, our church now affirms that a same-sex couple are not just married but are married in the sight of God.

Colin Macfarlane, director of gay-rights charity Stonewall Scotland, voiced delight at the change.

"This step allows couples to celebrate their love within their faith and sends a really positive message to other LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people, both here and around the world.

"It signals that members of the church welcome, recognise and respect LGBT people as part of the faith community."