15075/1Four townspeople have plunged into the Christian faith by being baptised in Malmesbury indoor pool.

Malmesbury Abbey vicar the Rev Neill Archer conducted the service, watched by around 150 people, at Malmesbury Activity Zone last Sunday.

It was the first time the abbey and activity zone had collaborated.

Jerome Hasler, 13, from Gloucester Road, Malmesbury, was the first to enter the water.

He was joined by brothers Ben, 15, and Tom Price, 19, from the Maltings, Malmesbury.

Elizabeth Smith, 24, from Little Somerford, Mike Langtree, 50, from Barley Close, Malmesbury were also baptised.

Mr Archer said there have been public baptisms in Malmesbury near the River Avon since the eighth century.

He said: "In the 21st century we felt that the pool at the activity zone, which is right at the heart of our community, was the best place for the baptism and the warmest. Baptism means to immerse in water so after a celebration with 150 people in the main sports hall, we all gathered by the pool for the baptisms."

Mr Hasler was the first to enter the water. He said: "I really enjoyed the originality of the service and baptisms in the pool."

Paul Turner, operations manager at the activity zone said: "We are not purely a sports centre and are always keen to provide facilities for all types of leisure activities."