The Rev hero!

The couple turned up at St John's Church in Hucknall for the christening – only to find the doors locked.

But George, associate priest at Hucknall Parish Church, stepped in to baptise two-year-old Mitchell James Keetley at only ten minutes' notice.

Mitchell is the son of Donna and Mick Keetley, of Shelton Avenue, Hucknall.

Donna (37) said special arrangements were made for the christening to take place at St John's, Butlers Hill at 4 pm last Sunday.

"This time and date were arranged so there would be no clash with family holidays," said Donna.

"We turned up at the church with 50 guests, only to find it locked. We knocked at the parsonage door but no-one was there.

"We eventually got in touch with a churchwarden, who was quite sympathetic.

"I rang round various people but was told nobody could do a baptism at such short notice– and there was no holy water.

"Meanwhile Mitchell, dressed in his best linen suit, was digging into mud in the church grounds."

As a final idea to save the day, contact was made with George, who said he could perform the christening if everybody could get to the parish church in ten minutes – before preparations for the evening service.

Added Donna: "It was like a Benny Hill TV comedy sketch as we all tried to get there on time.

"But I was so grateful to George that I gave him a kiss. He is our hero."

Meanwhile the vicar at St John's, the Rev Penny Compton, has explained that there was an unfortunate mix-up over dates for the christening.

"It must have been awful for everyone concerned to find no-one at the church and I will apologise to them," she said.