A SOUTHAMPTON couple have made history for the second time after publicly professing their love to each other once more.

Danny Langrish and Matt Beard had already sealed their name in the city record books by becoming Hampshire’s first gay couple to have their relationship recognised as a civil partnership.

Ten years on, the couple of 21 years were the first to tie the knot again by throwing a second ceremony converting their partnership into a formal marriage.

It follows new legislation passed last year enabling gay couples to gain equality with heterosexual marriages.

A number of couples in the county have already converted their partnerships, but Danny and Matt are the first to have another full ceremony, rather than just signing an official document.

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The men walked down the aisle in front of proud family and friends at Southampton Register Office yesterday.

Danny was given away by sister Emily, while Matt’s sister Jo did the honours.

Both men made emotional vows before their three best men, John Marks, Graham Fairbrother and Steven Smith, distributed the rings.

The newly declared husband and husband walked out of the church to a round of applause and the theme tune from Australian soap Home and Away.

The Langrish-Beards, who live in Portswood, met through friends in 1994 at an ice-skating rink in Gosport.

Danny proposed to Matt a few months before their civil partnership – getting down on one knee after arriving at Matt’s office at Portsmouth City Council.

Danny, 40, a mental health support worker, said of yesterday’s ceremony: “We wanted to properly do it and be husband and husband. It means a lot more this time. We could have done it with a piece of paper, but this is doing it with a ceremony as well.

“It’s nice to have family and friends and make it official with people we love.

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“It proves that we are not stereotypical – we met, were the first boyfriends we’ve had, and we’ve stayed together.”

He stressed that converting to a marriage is a personal decision to each couple but added: “If people can show their love and make it legal, it’s the way it should be.”

Matt, 42, an IT controller, admitted he was nervous second time around but added: “Sharing each other’s names now feels like we are properly married. It’s been really nice seeing everybody dressed up again and spending the evening with everyone.”