A committed Christian couple have been told they will not be reregistered as foster carers and will have to give up their foster son following their refusal to sign an Equality policy which forbids discrimination on the grounds of homosexuality.

Vince Matherick, a 65 year old minister at South Chard Christian Church in Somerset and his wife, Pauline, have been fostering since 2001 and have looked after 28 children.

Earlier this year they were asked to agree to a new Equality policy which would require them to say that homosexual relationships were equal to heterosexual marriages if asked by a child about such relationships.

Mr Matherick explained that he and his wife had never discriminated against anybody, but that they would not teach children about the practice of homosexuality because the Bible condemns any kind of sexual practice outside of a marriage relationship.

The couple have now had to face giving up custody of their 11-year-old foster son after being told that would have to sign the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs), which are part of the Equality Act 2006, by social services.

The couple reported that they had been told by officials they would be required to discuss same-sex relationships with their child who is only 11, and tell them that gay partnerships were just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages.

Mr Matherick said: "I cannot preach the benefits of homosexuality when I believe it is against the word of God."

They said that officials had advised them that if children in their care expressed an interest in homosexuality, they would be expected to take them to gay support group meetings.

The couple said that while they would neither condemn nor condone homosexuality, they could not actively promote it because of their religious beliefs.

The Christian minister continued: "They were saying that we had to be prepared to talk about sexuality with 11-year-olds, which I don't think is appropriate anyway, but not only that, to be prepared to explain how gay people date."

Mrs Matherick added: "We feel we are being discriminated against as Christians, and many others are finding themselves in our position."

In response, Somerset County Council have told The Times newspaper that it was committed to the interests of children and young people, and that it welcomed foster carers from all backgrounds and faiths.