The Royal Navy has decided to actively target the gay market by placing recruitment adverts in gay magazines and by joining Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme, which promotes good working conditions for all existing and potential employees and ensures equal treatment for those who are lesbian, gay and bisexual.

“The Royal Navy’s goal is to be a world class Navy, ready to fight and win. This can only be achieved if our people feel they are valued team members who share a bond of loyalty and trust with those in their ship and unit,” said Vice-Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, Second Sea Lord.

“With my responsibility for the welfare of all naval personnel, I am committed to ensuring the Royal Navy has a culture in which all our people are valued for themselves and are thus able to give 100 per cent to their job.

“I look forward to working with Stonewall to help make this happen."

The Navy’s most senior openly gay officer Lieutenant Commander Craig Jones (pictured) said: "I'm delighted by this move. It will be particularly welcomed by serving gay men and women and their partners, providing reassurance that their contribution will be valued and their sexual orientation respected in a positive working environment.

“It will also give a clear signal of commitment to those considering a career in the Royal Navy. I know from personal experience that people work best when they can be themselves."

Stephen Frost, programme manager for Stonewall Diversity Champions, said “We’re delighted that the Royal Navy is joining us. 

“We strive to work with any employer committed to creating a more inclusive workplace. Good employers understand that diversity is good for staff and good for operational effectiveness.  This isn’t merely about compliance, it’s about common sense.”

There are an estimated 2,100 gay service men and women in the Navy and it is hoped the move towards equality will encourage more to "come out".

Stonewall’s Ben Summerskill said, “I think the Navy have been very courageous to engage with this so publicly. We hope that the RAF and the army will be following shortly."

Commander Tim Kingsbury, the Royal Navy's diversity and equality policy officer, said that the Navy’s top personnel still “needed to understand better the needs of one group of personnel and to encourage them that they are part of the mainstream.

"Commanding officers have a key role to play in creating a culture in which gay and lesbian personnel feel confident that they work without being harassed or bullied because of their orientation.

However, the move has angered traditionalists who call the move “political correctness gone mad”.

The Sun quotes a source as saying, “A lot of people are unhappy about serving on ships with people who could fancy you, whether they’re women or gays, because it can get in the way and be very dangerous. It’s potty to go and chase them.”

Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, established in 2001, is the leading good practice forum on sexual orientation issues in the UK workplace.

The programme currently has 90 members employing over 2 million employees across Britain. Members include British Airways, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Sainsbury’s. There are an estimated 1.7 million gay people in the UK workforce.

Last year, the RAF sent a recruiting team to a Gay Pride rally in Manchester. The Royal Navy includes sexual orientation in its diversity and equality policy.