A PORT Glasgow minister says he will feel proud to finally be able to say yes to same sex couples who want to get married in his church.

Reverend William Boyle is one of the first ministers to publicly welcome the historic decision by the Church of Scotland to allow same sex marriage, declaring his full support for the change.

The 36-year-old took over at the Port Glasgow New Parish two years ago after his calling to ministry.

He is now looking to a more modern future and to opening his church doors to all couples.

Reverend Boyle said: "I believe we should be open for all in the church.

"I would hate to think anyone was sitting in our church who did not feel like they belong.

"When we say everyone should be welcome, then we should mean it.

"I have felt deeply uncomfortable when couples have asked me in the past and I have had to say I am not allowed.

"Now I can say, come in, you are welcome here.

"If two people love each other they should be able to celebrate it in their church.

"I am really looking forward to conducting my first wedding.

He added: "There were deep feelings about this within the church on both sides so I think the General Assembly is right to leave ministers to make the decision."

The recent vote brought to an end years of debate within the church and the local presbytery.

Retiring Greenock minister Reverend Alan Sorensen says he has been fully supportive of the change from the start.

Mr Sorensen is about to step down from Wellpark Mid Kirk after forty years working as a minister, but still hopes he will get the chance to conduct a same sex wedding.

Reverend Sorensen said: "I don't think we should exclude people who love one another.

"Society has changed and we have to change with it.

"I will now need to look into whether I can conduct a same sex marriage as retired clergy."