THE Vicar of Bolton says he is prepared to bless gay "marriage" at the Parish Church - even though it is against Church of England policy.

Canon Michael Williams spoke out yesterday as a torchlit protest was being organised in London by Christian groups against new laws banning discrimination against gay people.

Canon Williams said he not only supported the legislation, but also felt there was a place for gay people in the Church.

"At the moment the advice of the Church is not to go ahead with blessings of gay civil partnerships," he said.

"Although I have not yet been approached by anybody to give a blessing, I would certainly be willing to do so - and I think a number of my colleagues would.

"My concern is about the stability of any relationship, not the couple's sexuality."

Government legislation means civil partnership ceremonies cannot be conducted in religious buildings.

The Church of England's governing body, the House of Bishops, says that clergy "should not offer formal services of blessing for couples that have been through a civil partnership ceremony."

The planned new laws, known as the Sexual Orientation Regulations, would ban discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of a person's sexuality.

It would mean that hotels could be prosecuted for refusing to provide rooms for gay couples and parishes would be obliged to rent out halls for gay wedding receptions. Equally, gay bars would not be able to ban straight couples.

Catholic adoption agencies have said they fear they may be forced to allow gay couples to adopt.

The legislation was being debated in the House of Lords last night and the torchlit protest by Christian groups was taking place outside the Palace of Westminster at the same time. Muslim, Jewish and black groups have also protested at the new laws.

But gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, of the group OutRage!, said the demonstration was the result of "scaremongering, lies and hypocrisy".

Christian groups say the regulations undermine freedom of religion and conscience.

Canon Williams believes the protesters are wrong, that many of their fears - including that the legislation actively promotes homosexuality - are unfounded and that they should instead liaise with the Government about their concerns.

He said "My personal view is that it's important to enshrine in law anything that will overcome discrimination."

"The protesters want to insert escape clauses into the legislation, but anything that would allow faith groups to continue discrimination against gay and lesbian people would be wrong.

"The pre-supposition is that the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, but that's only one interpretation and I would argue against it, based on other passages and a deeper understanding of God's grace."

Allan Horsfall, a Bolton member of the Campaign for Sexual Equality, welcomed Canon Williams' comments.

"I did not know that was his view on blessing civil partnerships and I'm pleased someone of his stature has said that" said Mr Horsfall, of Farnworth.

"Homophobia does turn some people away from the church, although others ignore the vitriol of people like these protesters."

The Church's formal response to the Sexual Orientation Regulations admitted the legislation raised "substantial difficulties", but welcomed likely exemptions for churches.