TWO policemen from Southampton have become the country's first gay couple to father a child.

PC Ivan Sigston and special constable Steven Ponder have had a son thanks to Steven's sister Lorna Bradley, who acted as surrogate mother for the pair.

Reports say both men, who live in the Merry Oak area of the city, were present when Mrs Bradley gave birth to William Campbell Ponder-Sigston at her home in Worthing, West Sussex, last month.

It is believed the birth makes them the first gay couple in Britain to father a baby.

Hampshire Police dog handler Mr Sigston, 48, provided the sperm but did not put himself down as the father, meaning he and Mr Ponder, 28, must adopt William, a national newspaper reported.

A friend told the paper: "They are over the moon, and they cannot thank Lorna enough for what she has done.

"They have decorated a room at their home in blue as a nursery and take William out with the dogs daily."

It was said that no fee was paid to Mrs Bradley, who had the baby with the consent of her husband Darren, with the friend saying it was done out of "sisterly love".

A spokesman for Surrogacy UK told the newspaper: "We wish this couple all the best, but under the law it is not a proper surrogacy arrangement.

"That involves the couple applying for a parental order within six months of the child's birth. At present, same-sex couples cannot apply for a parental order but have to go through the adoption process.

"As only Lorna's name is on the birth certificate, she is William's legal guardian."

A Hampshire police spokesperson refused to comment, saying it was "a private matter".