TAVISTOCK Parish Church is this Sunday beginning the New Year with a family celebration of baptism.

St Eustachius' Church will hold a special service when people will be able to recall their own baptisms, on the day when across the world, churches remember the baptism of Jesus.

The service of songs, readings and prayers will take place at 3pm in the church, and will be followed by a light tea. The Rev Michael Brierley, priest in charge, said: 'We'll gather round the font — and we may make a bit of a splash!

Churchwarden Cathy Sherlock said: 'Baptism marks the beginning of our Christian journey so it's really wonderful to begin the new year by reminding ourselves what those journeys are all about, and of the day those journeys began.

'It will be really lovely —absolutely everyone is welcome.'