The repeal of Section 28, the law banning councils from promoting homosexuality, has cleared its final hurdle in the House of Lords, which had blocked all previous attempts to remove it.

Peers rejected an alternative championed by family values campaigners which, under Lords procedure, had the effect of confirming the repeal of the controversial law.

Meanwhile the Sexual Offences Bill, due before parliament next week, will make it illegal for two 15-year-olds to kiss in public, the Guardian claims.