London, Mar 11: Baby Jessica Power gave the age-old tradition of wearing a hand-me-down christening gown a whole new meaning when she became the 32nd tot in her family to don the 144-year-old garment.

The gown was made by her great-great-great granny, and was also worn by her dad, Jason.

The white cotton robe now adorns the one-year-old’s name and birth date, which have been embroidered on the hem alongside Jason’s and her other senior family members who have been christened in it.

“There was never any doubt about what Jessica was going to wear. I expected the dress to be yellowing but it looked just like new when we took it out of its storage box,” The Sun quoted her mum, Claire, as saying.

Stitched in 1864 by Eleanor Thornber, a Lancashire cotton mill worker, for her first child Isabel, the broderie anglaise gown having a 3ft train, was worn by all of her six other children in turn, including Maude – Jason’s great grandmother. And it was later passed down through the generations.

The history of this gown was told to all the guests at Jessica’s christening at her local church in Darwen, Lancs.

“Everyone commented on how lovely it was. I hope when she has children of her own they will carry on the tradition,” said Claire. (ANI)