A Kilburn couple will create history in the borough by tying the knot at the first same-sex marriage to take place in Brent tomorrow.

Colin Smith, 46, and Eric Craig, 48, are making last minute preparations for their nuptials will take place at Brent Civic Centre in Engineer’s Way, Wembley.

They will be joining hundreds of gay couples in England and Wales who have registered to get hitched on Saturday, as legislation allowing them to marry comes into force at 12.01am.

The happy couple, who have been together for 12 years, are gearing up for the historic exchange of vows in the wedding suite and marriage garden.

Mr Smith, a tax manager, said: “We wanted to do it on the first day we could.

“We will have a wonderful day we can look back to where we joined our lives together and danced the night away in celebration.”

“It will be fantastic to bring together our friends and family to see that we are as committed to each other as they are to their partners.”

Gay couples were previously only permitted to enter a partnership following changes to the law in 2005.

Mr Craig, a manager for mental health services, said: “To be quite honest, both of us worked in organisations where same-sex partnerships are recognised, so a civil partnership didn’t give us much more than the acknowledgment of our relationship.

“In the future I’m going to be able to tick a box to say I’m married - that official recognition is important.”

Cllr. James Denselow, Brent Council’s lead member for customers and citizens, said: “On behalf of everyone at Brent Council, I want to congratulate Colin and Eric and wish them all the best for a very happy life together.

“Marriage is an important institution and I am pleased that it is now open to people of the same sex, as well as those of the opposite sex.”