WET suits may be the order of the day when Bishop Graham baptises West Dorset worshippers in the sea at West Bay at the end of the month.

Bishop Graham James is in town as part of his St Aldhelm pilgrimage and said he wanted to perform confirmation and baptisms on the beach and from there it was a logical step to get in the water, said The Rev Bob Thorn, rector of Burton Bradstock. He added: “The Bishop was very keen to go down to West Bay and do this on the beach. If it rains we could do it in St John’s but the Bishop was quite keen to do it in the sea.

“So far all the candidates seem quite happy with that although one or two are quite nervous.

“They have been advised they might need wet suits for the occasion but they are awfully warm so if they have to go and get confirmed afterwards. I don’t know how that is going to work.

“But the water will be cold in June because the winter was so long and cold. If we can do it, it will be wet and cold but it will be memorable.

"It should be grand, may be funny and will provide ample opportunity for damp jokes about how the Bishop should be walking on the water and not wading into it. I have advised that preparing some hot chocolate laced with rum might be a good idea for afterwards.”

The service is on June 30.