Madonna's son takes centre stage

Cameramen and photographers are outside the cathedral

BBC News Online will have coverage of baby Rocco's baptism from 1730GMT

The final preparations are under way for the baptism of Madonna's son Rocco at Dornoch Cathedral in the north of Scotland.

Only a handful of guests, including close family and friends, are expected to attend the ceremony on Thursday evening.

Rock star Sting is expected to sing at the event, which is taking place the day before Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie are due to marry at nearby Skibo Castle.

Sting was spotted slipping into Dornoch Cathedral to rehearse a song on Wednesday.

The singer/songwriter's wife Trudi Styler introduced Madonna and Ritchie at a dinner party two years ago.

Security will be tight at Dornoch Cathedral

For the baptism Madonna, 42, and Guy, 32, are expected to arrive about 1800 GMT, with four-month-old Rocco, escorted by police and personal security.

The ceremony will be conducted by local minister the Rev. Susan Brown who will also marry the couple the following day.

Hundreds of journalists, photographers and camera crews have descended on Dornoch hoping to catch a glimpse of the pop icon and her husband-to-be.

Ultra-tight security at Skibo Castle means that the best chance for a view of the celebrities will be at the baptism.

Enterprising locals

Madonna has drafted in extra security staff, who are liaising with senior police and Skibo security advisers about how best to manage the huge media interest.

Crowd barriers have been set up outside the church and a media "pen" has been created to cater for paparazzi photographers and camera crews.

Madonna arrived on Monday

Reports that Madonna now had now decided to hold the baptism in Skibo Castle because of possible media intrusion were being dismissed.

Northern Constabulary chiefs have said they are confident their plans will ensure the event goes smoothly.

Enterprising locals have already been capitalising on the media circus, offering to guard precious vantage points for the photographers.

Residents whose houses overlook the cathedral have reportedly been paid up to £250 each to allow the media access to get the best views of stars arriving.

Stars gather

Even the church fund has benefited after officials accepted a donation to take down a sign which blocked views of the cathedral entrance.

A minister will lead the church service

And the community hall at Clashmore, near Skibo Castle, has been selling refreshments to the press in order to pay for repairs to a church roof.

Big names tipped to attend the wedding on Friday include Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney, and movie stars Robin Williams, Brad Pitt and Rupert Everett.

But newspaper reports say footballer-turned- actor Vinnie Jones said he would not be able to attend the wedding because of his new film career.

The former Wimbledon player told the Sun that Hollywood film bosses had refused to allow him time off from shooting his latest movie Swordfish.

Madonna and Ritchie arrived in Inverness on Monday before making their way to the castle with Rocco and the singer's four-year-old daughter Lourdes.

Shakespeare in Love star Gwyneth Paltrow and Stella McCartney flew into Inverness in a private plane on Tuesday.