The National Assembly in France has approved a law that would allow same-sex couples to marry and have children.

Now that it has been approved in the lower house, the bill will move to the Senate for final approval. French President Francois Hollande has said he supports the measure.

The assembly had already approved a key article that redefined marriage as a contract between two people rather than between a man and a woman.

The Senate - which is also dominated by the Socialists and their allies - is thought likely to back the measure, which will become law by May or June, our correspondent says.

France would then join 11 other countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

ALLEZ LA FRANCE! We are so close!