A NEW law which will allow the mothers of brides and bridegrooms to have their names on a marriage certificate is one step closer after a Bill went through the House of Lords, tabled by a bishop who grew up in Westbury.

The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, 61, who is the Bishop of St Albans, is the first bishop in 40 years to have a Bill passed through the House of Lords.

The Marriage Registration Bill introduces a new law to allow the mothers of both brides and bridegrooms to have their names on their child’s marriage certificate, as well as or instead of their child’s father’s name.

The law of marriage registration in England currently says only the fathers’ names of both the bride and bridegroom must be included on the certificate, a law which hasn’t been altered since 1837.

Scotland and Northern Ireland already ask for the names of both parents, as opposed to just the father, for both marriage and civil partnership certificates.

Dr Smith, who grew up in Westbury before moving to London, said: “I knew that this was something that people had been campaigning for for years, especially women.

“Since I decided to form the Bill I have been featured in women’s magazines and websites

“It just seems wrong that mothers do most of the nurturing, they go through the pain of labour, and then 20 or 30 years later they aren’t included on the marriage certificate.

“The Prime Minster has also said she supports the Bill.

“It is great to have the approval of someone so prominent.

“I am very pleased that the Bill has made such good progress, and we hope the progress continues in the next stage.”

“If this is made a law I think it will have many unexpected advantages, for example it will help people who may be trying track their family history.”

Dr Smith is hoping that all the paperwork will be complete in the next two weeks, and the next step, which will be passing the Bill through the House of Commons, can go ahead.

Many MPs, including former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, have already spoken out in favour of the Bill, saying that the current law doesn’t reflect modern society.

Dr Smith is hopeful the Bill will have the same success in the House of Commons and will be welcomed by mums.