ALL of Lewisham and Greenwich's MPs voted for a bill allowing gay marriage yesterday.

Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander,  Lewisham West and Penge representative Jim Dowd and Joan Ruddock, MP for Lewisham Deptford, were among the 400 politicians who backed the proposals in the Commons.

MP for Greenwich and Woolwich Nick Raynsford, MP for Erith and Thamesmead Teresa Pearce and Eltham's Clive Efford also voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.

Prime Minister David Cameron hailed a "step forward for our country" after the House backed a second reading of the proposals by a margin of 400 to 175.

Under the proposals, same-sex couples will be able to get married in civil and religious ceremonies, with faith institutions being able to opt out.

The legislation will now be subjected to more parliamentary scrutiny before a House of Lords vote.