ELTON JOHN - JOHN AND FURNISH TURN DOWN WEDDING GIFTS

SIR ELTON JOHN and DAVID FURNISH are asking wedding guests to donate money to an AIDS charity, instead of giving them wedding gifts.

The couple will marry on 21 December (05) - the first day same-sex civil partnerships are possible in Britain - and insist guests' money would be better spent on John's AIDS foundation, which was founded in 1992.

A friend says, "Sir Elton and David Furnish are not expecting presents from any of their guests, but they do appreciate some of them would like to mark the occasion with a gift so have nominated the foundation.

"The scale of the donations will not be made public, although Sir Elton and David will know and will write personal letters of thanks. If guests want to donate anonymously that is also fine by Sir Elton. There really is no pressure at all.

"He knows some guests will want to buy him something, but it is fair to say there really is no need for anybody to turn up with a toaster."

The pair's big day will begin with a small civil service at Windsor's Guildhall in England, with just their parents in attendance.

The star-studded reception will be attended by 700 relatives and friends, including veteran singer ROD STEWART, actress ELIZABETH HURLEY and GEORGE MICHAEL.