A Norwich vicar had the privilege of baptising a Mile Cross family of six children and their two parents . . . all at the same time.

Rhos and Kelly Lawrence approached the Rev Paul Mackay, vicar of St Catherine's, Mile Cross, to have their children baptised and asked if they could be baptised at the same time.

The vicar encouraged them to start coming to church and the whole family from Shorncliffe Avenue were baptised together at St Catherine's.

Mr Mackay said: 'I often get asked to baptise new-borns, but it was a special joy to baptise a whole family.

'One of my congregation joked that I might need to use a hosepipe. The children lined up, oldest first, and I left mum and dad until last.

'It was a vivid reminder of the early church where whole families were frequently baptised together. It was a truly joyful occasion – one the St Catherine's Church family will remember for a long time.'

Mrs Lawrence, 29, who is a housewife, said the idea originated after their prayers were answered following the premature births of two of their children, Curtis and Georgia Lawrence.

She said: 'Curtis, who is now four, and Georgia, two, were both born very prematurely. Curtis was 13 weeks premature and Georgia was 15 weeks.

'We did a lot of praying at that time, and afterwards we wanted to fulfil our faith, so we decided to go the whole hog and get baptised.

'The children all accepted it and we now go to church every other Sunday and the children go to Sunday school there.'

The family also includes father Rhos, 32, who is unemployed, Lewis Lawrence, eight, Cambell Brown, eight, Ethan Brown, six, and Jack Lawrence, six.

Have you got something to celebrate collectively as a family? Call Evening News reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.