YOUNG Amy Hardy was the centre of attention at the weekend when she became the first baby to benefit from a new naming ceremony - on her first birthday.

Her parents, Anna and Neil Hardy, returned to the North-East to mark the birth of their child with a celebration which is now offered by Durham County's Registration Service.

Anna, originally from Chopwell, Gateshead, and Neil, whose parents live in East Rainton, were joined by family and friends at Durham Register Office for the occasion.

Neil, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, said: "Neither of us is really religious and we wanted to mark the occasion without being hypocritical about it.

"We never realised such a service was available, but Anna found out about it by chance on the Internet.

"Most of our families are in the North-East anyway so it seemed the ideal thing to hold it in Durham."

Anna said: "It was quite an emotional ceremony - very touching."

The non-religious ceremony can take place in registry offices in Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Durham City, Peterlee and Stanley, or at any of more than 20 buildings, ranging from historic halls to museums and hotels, approved for civil weddings.

David Dixon, Durham County Council's public services manager, said: "There has been considerable interest since we launched this new ceremony, but Anna and Neil were the first in the county. "

A ceremony takes from 15 to 30 minutes in which parents and supporting adults sign a souvenir record. Contact any register office or visit the County Council's at www.durham. gov.uk/registrars website.