German MPs have voted to legalise same-sex marriage days after Chancellor Angela Merkel dropped her opposition to it.

The reform would give gay men and lesbians full marital rights, and allow them to adopt children.

Germany has allowed same-sex couples to enter civil partnerships since 2001, but same-sex marriages remained illegal.

Friday's vote was fast-tracked after Mrs Merkel said the matter was a "question of conscience," freeing members of her conservative coalition, which has been against same-sex marriage, to individually vote for the measure.

The Chancellor said she voted against legalising same-sex marriage. She said that for her, marriage is "for a man and woman".