LITTLE Finley Kellett Thorpe has made his own piece of history - and he still hasn't reached his first birthday.

He has become the first child in York to be named in a civil ceremony.

His parents Matthew Kellett and Simone Thorpe, both 30, from Cawood, decided against a Christian ceremony because they are not religious.

"We don't go to church and we thought it would be a bit hypocritical to have him christened," said Matthew, who works in a bank. This will allow him to make up his own mind when he is older."

Simone, who works at York District Hospital, said: "A few people, mostly older ones, have asked why we are doing this, but we just wanted to do something for him rather than have a religious ceremony."

York registrar Robert Livesey conducted the ceremony at the city's register office.

Private firm Life Cycle, which is promoting ceremonies nationwide, funded the event, but it had to go through the city council to meet legal requirements.

Mr Livesey said: "We think it extends the amount of choice that couples have to celebrate the arrival of their baby."

Three other couples are booked in at the register office, in Bootham, for similar ceremonies.