TWO seven-year-old parents 'christened' their baby doll at a Parish Church.

The 'parents', Bethany Bebb and Alex Proctor, christened the doll at St Leonard's Parish Church in Padiham.

Children from St Leonard's Church of England primary school were introduced to the practice of baptism by Canon Mark Jones.

Canon Jones said: "It was a wonderful opportunity to explain to children the promises made at such a service and the reasons for it.

"The 'parents' and six 'god parents' responded well to the many questions asked of them in similar fashion to a real service of baptism.

Canon Jones, who wore a Queen's Park Rangers' football club shirt to illustrate the notion of belonging and supporting, explained the various components of the service which introduces a child to the family of God.

The school's headteacher, Mrs Beverly Holmes, said: "The children love to take part in this kind of service and learn valuable truths as they do so."