Seven out of 10 people in the UK agree that marriage should remain a “life-long exclusive commitment between a man and a woman”.

The British Government is currently planning to introduce same-sex marriage and the main Churches have launched campaigins against the proposal

The ComRes survey carried out for Catholic Voices also found strong support for civil partnerships for same-sex couples with six out of 10 people showing their approval.

While 68 per cent of respondents agreed with the idea that marriage is important to society and should be promoted by the State, support was much stronger among married people, at 83 per cent, compared with 55 per cent of single people.

Dr Austen Ivereigh, coordinator of Catholic Voices, said: “Our poll shows that the Government has no mandate to alter an institution which lies at the foundation of our society. 

“British people believe that gay relationships should be recognised by the State through civil partnerships.

“But they are clear that marriage is a unique institution which needs to be promoted because of the benefits to children of being raised by a mother and a father.

“These results are a clear warning to Government that it is at odds with the public on this issue.”

The results come as the Westminster Government prepares to launch a consultation asking how, not whether, marriage should be redefined.

A petition seeking to protect the current definition of marriage attracted more than 100,000 signatures in its first two weeks. It is being run by the Coalition for Marriage.

This weekend a letter opposing same-sex marriage is to be read out at 2,500 Catholic parishes across England and Wales.