A consultation on the issue of same-sex marriages and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships has been launched by Scottish ministers.

The Scottish government said its initial view was that same-sex marriage should be introduced.

However, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said faith groups who did not want to "solemnise" gay marriages should not be made to do so.

Interested groups can make their views known over the next 14 weeks.

Ms Sturgeon said a recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey found that more than 60% of people in Scotland felt that same-sex couples should have the right to marry, compared to 19% who disagreed.