Christening for Blood's second baby

Diane Blood with her two sons

A boy born following his mother's legal battle to have children using her dead husband's sperm is to be christened on Sunday.

Diane Blood confirmed that three-month-old son Joel, her second child conceived using the technique, will be baptised close to their home in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Joel Michael Blood was born on 17 July at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital, seven years after his father's death.

Mrs Blood, 36, waged a legal battle to use sperm taken from husband Stephen while he was on a life support machine in 1995.

Diane Blood's second son, Joel, shortly after birth

Mrs Blood said: "He is doing well and is a healthy boy.

"We are expecting about 100 family and friends at the service on Sunday."

The service will be conducted by Reverend Neil Hogg, at Christ Church, in Thievesdale Road, Worksop, at 1100 BST.

Mrs Blood began a challenge to use her husband's sperm following his death from meningitis and was eventually granted the right at the Court of Appeal.

She gave birth to her first child Liam on December 11, 1998 and said that he is fascinated by his younger brother.

"I think he enjoys having a brother. He is always offering to help and to do things for Joel," said Mrs Blood.