The legal appeal by Christian B&B owners Peter and Hazelmary
Bull is to be heard in London's Court of Appeals, today.
The couple, who run the Chymorvah Private Hotel in Marazion,
Cornwall, made headlines when they refused to accommodate gay
couple Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy in September
2008.
In January this year, Judge Andrew Rutherford at Bristol County
Court ruled that - under new equality legislation - that the pair
had acted unlawfully and ordered them to pay a total of £3,600
damages.
The ruling was one of the first legal cases taken under the
Sexual Orientation Equality Act Regulations 2007, which protects
lesbians and gay men from unfair service.
In their defence, the Bulls claimed they refused to let them
share a room on the grounds it would be "an affront to their
faith". They also claim that they would turn away a heterosexual
couple if they were unmarried.
Now, the hoteliers' appeal - which is funded by the Christian
Institute - will be heard at London's Court of Appeal, where they
aim to prove that they can legally run their business in line with
their religious beliefs.
A judgment is not expected immediately.
