George Takei, perhaps best known for his role as Mr Sulu in Star Trek, is to wed his long-term partner in a civil partnership.

The actor announced his wedding ideas on his website following a California supreme court ruling which lifted the ban on gay marriage.

Takei, who met his partner Brad Altman 21 years ago at a gay men's running club in LA, said he is going through the "delicious process" of planning the ceremony.

He added: "There's no tradition in terms of same-sex marriage. We are designing and shaping our own wedding in our own way, so it's going to be singular and unique."

The 71-year-old actor, who also stars in hit US series Heroes, added that he is "delighted" that the ban has been lifted as it is more in line with the constitution.

As soon as the legislation was announced, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her Ally McBeal actress girlfriend Portia De Rossi announced their plans to marry.