The first day on which gay couples can tie the knot in a new civil partnership ceremony is now fully booked at High Wycombe's register office.

Raymond Fisher, Superintendent registrar at the Chiltern Hills register office in Easton Street, confirmed they are now fully booked for the historic date, December 21, 2005.

Mr Fisher told the Free Press: "We have had lots of interest and we have four ceremonies booked on the first day with a few others wanting to go ahead before Christmas. We have three male couples and one female couple."

Another registrar to play a part in the big day will be Flackwell Heath's Clair Williams, registrar for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Mrs Williams, who performed the wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles at Windsor Guildhall, will conduct the civil ceremony for Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish at the same venue.

Sir Elton's plans were announced on December 5, 2005 after he and David posted the notification of their date in Maidenhead Town Hall. There's will be the first ceremony at the Guildhall on the day.

Mrs Williams, a former Wycombe High school pupil and mum-of-two, said: "We are delighted that Sir Elton and Mr Furnish have chosen to have their civil partnership ceremony in the Royal Borough.

"I and my colleague, Peter, will do our utmost to ensure that the ceremony is a very special and private occasion for them and their guests."

Mrs Williams had previously faced the world's media when it was announced she would be conducting Prince Charles' marriage. She has more than ten years experience in the registration service and intially had to sanction the postponement of this summer's royal wedding following the death of the Pope John PaulII.

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