Gay couples may soon be able to take part in commitment services in register offices across the Bradford district.

Their weddings will have no legal status and there would be no marriage certificate.

But they are expected to use the ceremony to show they care for each other and are committed.

Heterosexual couples who did not want religious ceremonies would be able to get married using the services which would be the first in West Yorkshire.

Civil funeral services could also be on offer as alternatives to religious functions as innovative ways are considered for extending facilities offered to the public.

The services are provided in London boroughs but only a few other towns and cities have adopted them. Approval would be needed by Bradford Council before they could go ahead.

Bradford's superintendent registrar Dorothy Jenkins told the Council's corporate scrutiny committee sitting at City Hall that the first civil naming ceremony in West Yorkshire had been held recently - as an alternative to Christening.

She said special training would be needed for the sensitive funeral services.

Mrs Jenkins said many inquiries had been made about commitment and funeral services. "There is obviously a demand for it," she added.

The authority could set its own fees because the services were not mandatory, but she believed they should be at a reasonable level.

Mrs Jenkins said credit cards were now being accepted for the first time at all the district's register offices as payment for services.

Commenting on gay ceremonies after the meeting, the Reverend Geoffrey Reid, of Bradford's Methodist Touchstone Centre, said: "I know of at least one Bradford church where this commitment ceremony has been held.

"I think it is a bit of discrimination that needs sorting out. I think commitment services are a sign that people are thinking more carefully about things. I have no problem with a secular equivalent to the normal church service."

The Reverend George Moffatt, team rector of Manningham, said: "The more celebrations the better. If there is a denial of church ceremonies maybe these civil ones will give a way forward.''

l The committee agreed to look at the payment and duties of councillors appointed to serve on outside organisations. A list will also be prepared and made be available to the Council and public.

Council director Alan Dalton and Coun Colin Gill will then hold meetings with the organisations and discuss access to information.

Coun Gill is heading a project on accountability and transparency in outside organisations receiving public funding. He told members in a report there were 28 organisations, including the Primary Care Trusts and the University.

Coun Gill said despite the need for openness, information was difficult to get.