A Catholic adoption charity has demanded a review of the decision by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) that it must either provide adoption services to gay and non-Catholic couples or face losing its charitable status.

The Scottish charity regulator last month ruled that St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society’s guidance, which restricts it from placing adopted children in the care of same-sex couples, fell foul of the Equality Act 2010 and that either the charity would have to change its guidance or, come 22 April this year, be struck off the register of charities.

The board of the charity has now lodged a formal request for a review of the decision.

The Glasgow-based charity has received the support of the local Roman Catholic Church, and the Scottish government, which said it would meet with the charity to find ways of it continuing its work.

Archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia said: "The Bishops and the whole Catholic community are supportive of the work done by St Margaret's and we earnestly hope that common sense will prevail and the agency will be allowed to continue with its excellent and very necessary work. In the meantime the Society is open for business as usual and continues to prepare couples for the adoption process."

A decision on the review of the case will be finalised by 4 March.