CHRISTIAN guest house owners who were ordered to pay damages after turning away a gay couple have lost a fight in the UK's highest court.

Peter Bull, 74, and his wife Hazelmary, 69, had asked the Supreme Court to decide whether their decision to refuse to let Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy stay constituted sex discrimination under equality legislation.

Five Supreme Court justices ruled against them yesterday. The couple had previously lost fights in a County Court and the Court of Appeal.

Dismissing the appeal, Lady Hale, deputy president of the Supreme Court, said: "Homosexuals can enjoy the same freedom and the same relationships as any others."

Mrs Bull, said: "All we have ever tried to do is live according to our own values, under our own roof."