TWO murderers have become the first gay prisoners to get married behind bars.

Mikhail Gallatinov and Marc Goodwin were married at Full Sutton prison on Friday, in a 15-minute ceremony, but will not be allowed to share a cell under Prison Service rules.

Gallatinov, 40, was convicted of murdering 28-year-old Adrian Kaminsky in Manchester in 1997, and sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years in prison.

During his trial, Manchester Crown Court was told Gallatinov was a predatory paedophile, with convictions for offences against children, and was under police surveillance when he committed the murder.

Goodwin, 31, was jailed for life in 2007 for the homophobic murder of 57-year-old Malcolm Benfold in Blackpool, and told he must serve a minimum of 18 years before he is considered for parole.

The court heard at the time the then 23-year-old had talked about "gay bashing" before the attack, but the attack was also about getting cash for alcohol.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said the wedding - which was witnessed by four members of the mens' families - had not been paid for out of the public purse.

He said: "We are very clear that if prisoners do get married, the taxpayer does not foot the bill for the ceremony and they are certainly not allowed to share a cell."