A FAMILY tradition dating back 62 years lived on at the christening of little Kai James O'Brien.

For the six-month-old child became the 16th member of his family to wear the christening robe which has been handed down through generations.

The garment -- still looking remarkably well for a piece of clothing that is decades old -- was bought by James' great great aunt Molly Lupton in 1940 for the christening of her son Derrick.

And since Derrick became the first family member to don the robe it has been brought out and spruced up whenever a new arrival has been welcomed -- 16 in all.

Members of James' family attended Kai's christening ceremony at All Saints' Church, Clayton-le-Moors, including mum Emma Barrett and dad Gary O'Brien.

The gathering also included other members of the family who had taken part in the family tradition by wearing the gown.

Grandmother June Barrett, of Dill Hall Lane, Church, said: "It's a lovely family tradition and the gown has been handed down right through the generations.

"It was nice to think that the same gown worn by my cousin all those years ago was worn by James.

Unfortunately, the woman who started the tradition all those years ago could not be at the church to share in the moment. Molly, now aged 86 and living in Reading, was unable to travel up for the service.

Long-lasting christening gowns are almost becoming a tradition in themselves. Last year, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph featured a story about Teegan Jade Cooper, christened at the United Reform Church in Darwen in a cotton gown which dates back to 1864.

Twenty-nine of her relatives were christened in the historic family gown before her, and many even in the same church.

Its last appearance had been 17 years earlier in 1985 when Teegan's mother Heather Hill was christened at the same Bolton Road church.