THE number of couples forming civil partnerships has fallen dramatically across Dorset since same-sex marriage was introduced, ONS figures show.

In the four years before the Same-Sex Marriage Act came into force in March 2014, there were 178 civil partnerships formed in Bournemouth, 80 in Poole and 110 in Dorset county.

But between 2014 to 2017, that number fell to 27 in Bournemouth, 22 in Poole and 33 in Dorset.

Civil partnerships remain more popular with male couples, with 53 male and 29 female couples across the whole county opting for this form of union over the alternative.

Up-to-date statistics on marriage are not yet available, but those from 2015 showed a larger proportion of female couples choosing this form of union, compared with male couples.

More than half those opting for civil partnerships were aged over-50.

A civil partnership guarantees same-sex couples the same rights as married couples, however in June the Supreme Court ruled that they must be made available for heterosexual couples or be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

LGBT charity Stonewall has said that despite its dwindling popularity, the civil partnership is still an important institution and shouldn't be abolished.

Stonewall campaigns, policy and research director Paul Twocock said: "The introduction of civil partnerships in 2005 was a huge milestone for LGBT equality.

"For the first time, same-sex couples could have their relationships legally recognised and secure the same benefits as married couples of different sexes.

"Many thousands of same-sex couples have also decided not to convert their civil partnership into a marriage."

Civil partnerships have fallen out of favour across the whole of England and Wales.

Almost 24,000 couples entered civil partnerships between 2010-13, falling to just over 4,000 in the following four years. This year has seen a small increase however, to 908 civil partnerships in total.

Family justice organisation Resolution said declining numbers could reveal younger couples are now more likely to form cohabiting families rather than legally-recognised relationships.

Resolution's Graeme Fraser said: "It's entirely possible that same-sex couples nowadays also feel civil partnerships are, to an extent, discriminatory.

"In addition to reviewing the status of civil partnerships, the Government must prioritise the lack of awareness and lack of protections for all types of modern families to truly reflect changes in how couples choose to live together."

The Government says it is still considering the Supreme Court's judgement.

A Government Equalities Office spokesman said: "The Government is very aware of its legal obligations, and we recognise the sensitive and personal issues involved in this case. We are studying the court's judgement carefully, and will respond in due course."