LONDON, Dec.30 (Xinhuanet) -- Unmarried and same-sex couples in Britain have the right to adopt children under a new law that came into force on Friday.

    The historic change in the Adoption and Children Act, which was passed by parliament in 2002, allows both kinds of couples to become a child's adoptive parents. Previously, only married couples or single people could apply for adoption, Sky News reported on Friday.

    The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) called it "the most radical over haul of adoption law for 30 years".

    Felicity Collier, chief executive of BAAF, said: "These changes will have a major impact on thousands of families. Opening up adoption to unmarried partners will encourage more people to consider adoption."

    She added that too many children spent too long in temporary care waiting for an adoptive family. And in some cases they never had the chance of adoption at all.

    The Act also introduces special guardianship orders for other carers.

    Foster carers, relatives and others caring for a child can apply for a special guardianship order which is expected to last until the child is 18.

    The application of such an order would mean that the child was no longer the responsibility of a local authority.

    Other measures include allowing birth mothers the right to trace an adoptive adult through an intermediary service. Enditem