The government will today provoke the wrath of traditionalists when it unveils plans to give gay and lesbian partners the same legal rights as married couples.

Homosexual partners are set to secure the same entitlements in areas such as life insurance, inheritance, property and pensions.

In a consultation paper ministers will propose a system where same sex couples can sign a partnership register giving them the same legal rights as their married counterparts.

Under the scheme couples will have to sign an official partnership document - although the government will stress the move does not amount to gay marriage.

They will also be able to dissolve the agreement in a move similar to a divorce settlement.