A DEAL on gay marriage which would legalise the process but prevent ceremonies being held in churches is one of the options being considered by the Scottish Government.

The compromise agreement would allow officials to pass same-sex marriage legislation on the basis that only civil ceremonies are allowed to take place.

In a move aimed at appeasing faith groups opposed to the legislation, the proposals would mean that religious leaders would not be forced to conduct gay weddings.

However, equality campaigners claimed the compromise could end up "annoying everyone" by failing to give homosexuals the same rights as everyone else, while still upsetting those opposed to same-sex marriage.

A consultation period on changing the law on same-sex mariages recently closed with 50,000 views being submitted.

Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said the campaign group would oppose any plans to stop same-sex religious ceremonies.

He said: "The whole point here is that we are campaigning for equality.

"And the whole point about religious freedom is that it protects the rights of smaller religions such as those that do want to carry out same-sex ceremonies."

Those opposed to the proposals for same-sex marriage include the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church in Scotland.

However, several other religious groups and the Humanist Association say they want to carry out the ceremonies and have written to First Minister Alex Salmond warning they would "strongly oppose" any religious restrictions.