A BLACKPOOL rector and his son will make history in the Church of England when they sit together on the General Synod.

It is believed to be the first time a father and son have sat together in the "parliament" of the Church of England since its creation in 1970.

They are expected to attend their first meeting of the Synod together at York University in July.

The Rev Dr Simon Cox, Rector of All Hallows, Bispham, joins his 22-year-old son Tim as a Synod member following a by-election in the Blackburn Diocese which was held when a member of the clergy moved to another diocese.

Dr Cox said: "It's a bit daunting joining part way through, although I keep hearing from Tim what to expect.

"I was quite surprised to hear we were the first father and son to sit at the same time. I thought it wouldn't have been that uncommon. I think it's quite amusing that it's Tim who's the old hand!"

And Tim was also one of the youngest ever members to be elected to the General Synod in the Church's last "general election" in 2000.