Gay former mayors wed

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Two former Derby mayors have had a civil ceremony together.

Jeff Tillett and Robin Wood, who had a civil partnership this week after being together for 35 years, were both Conservative councillors and mayors of the city.

Mr Wood, 54, told the Sun: We lived together for so long it was not a spur-of-the moment thing to marry.

“But what gives me satisfaction is that I always felt I was lying when I filled in forms and there was no alternative but to say I was single.”

Mr Tillett, 78, was a councillor from 1957 until 1990 and mayor in 1977 and 1978.

His partner was a councillor from 1979 to 1995 and mayor in 1993 and 1994.

The registrar, Jim Clark, who conducted the ceremony, said: “I have never had to marry two former mayors, I must admit I was nervous.”