LITTLE Hannah Howarth has been christened surrounded by the family and friends who hope she holds the key to saving her brother's life.

Four-month-old Hannah was christened at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Farnworth, yesterday, just four weeks before Nathan, aged six, will have a stem cell transplant,

Parents Denise Kelly and Mick Howarth, of Great Lever, decided to hold the day before Nathan is admitted to hospital.

Nathan was also blessed and prayers said that the transplant would be a success.

A seventh birthday party was held for Nathan after the service because he will be in hospital for his official birthday.

Nathan has Falconi's Anaemia, a genetic condition that leaves him constantly tired. Doctors had said that, without a transplant he would have just a year to live.

Sister Hannah was born in September and the stem cells from her umbilical cord matched Nathan's genetic make-up, despite the chances only being one in 16.

More than 200 people attended the service, with some travelling from Ireland and Scotland.

Denise said: "We all had a wonderful day and I think everyone who we invited made the effort to come. It was a good time for us all to get together and celebrate Hannah being born and Nathan's birthday in advance because we won't be able to celebrate it properly at the time.