Archbishops have apologised for the 'damage and hurt' caused to the LGBT community as the Church of England yesterday paved the way for same-sex marriages after three years of behind-closed-doors arguments on the issue.

Leaders admitted 'talk of truth, holiness and discipleship has been wielded harshly' and promised to make a decision within two years on changing Anglican rules that say gay sex is sinful.

A group led by the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Sarah Mullally, will devise a 'way forward for the Church in relation to human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage'.

Church leaders have produced a 480-page book, with accompanying films, podcasts and education courses to explore the issue.

The Church has been deeply divided over gay rights since 1987, when its parliament, the General Synod, first voted to reinforce traditional teaching that gay sex is sinful. Earlier this year bishops restated the teaching that sex is for married couples only and that civil partnerships should be 'sexually abstinent friendships'.

Same-sex civil marriages were introduced in 2014 and their predecessor, civil partnerships that carry the rights of marriage in all but name, were brought in in 2005. However the legislation gave faith groups an effective opt-out. Read more via Albawba