A WOMEN'S group is celebrating a new chapter in the life of its church by making a stunning baptismal banner.

Members of the Mothers' Union at St James' Church, in Coundon, emptied their sewing boxes of buttons and fabric to create the banner, which was unveiled and blessed by Father Gary Nicholson yesterday.

The banner, which has been almost two years in the making, was designed by friend of the church Sue Dunn and made mainly by Dorothy Otterwell and Audrey Burnett.

The blue standard has a gold sequinned sun, a dove and candles made of buttons and appliqu flames to represent important Christian symbols.

Branch leader, Marian Gornall, who also helped make the banner, said: "We wanted something to mark all of the work we are doing at the church.

"A baptism symbolises new beginnings and that is what we have here, the banner will always hang in the church to remind us of that.

"Let's just hope no husbands need buttons sewing on shirts, because they have all been sewn on to the banner."

The church raised £120,000 to replace the roof in 2004 and last year completed the renovation of its distinctive night-sky scene domed ceiling, for about £7,000.

A third phase of work is planned to make the building more accessible. It will include disabled access, toilets, a kitchen and social and community area.