THROUGHOUT her great-granddaughter's pregnancy Ethel Little said her prayers every night to make sure she was there for the birth of the baby.

And now she and four other generations of her family are celebrating the birth of the newest addition to the family, Madison Little.

It is quite rare for a family to stretch across so many generations and six-month-old Madison will certainly have her fair share of ancestors to get to know.

Ninety-four-year-old Mrs Little, of Cricklade, is the mother of Ashley Little, 70, of Greenmeadow.

Ashley is the father of Lynda Foster, 47, of Haydon Wick, and she is mum to 21-year-old Laura Ryczanowski, the mother of Madison, of Abbey Meads.

But there has been some confusion among the family as to whether Madison is Ethel's great-great or great-great-great granddaughter, as mum Laura and dad Craig Little, 22, are second cousins.

"My boyfriend's dad is my mum's dad's brother," said Laura, who works at Nationwide.

"It all gets very confusing and we're still not sure what relationship Madison is to Ethel."

And Laura is already dreading the day Madison asks for help with the family tree.

"When she looks at her family tree in school I'm just going to tell her to keep it simple," she said.

"I'm sure hers will be the most confusing one in the class."

But it has caused a few laughs within the family too.

"We've had a few giggles," said Laura's mum, Lynda.

"It'll be even more confusing when Laura and Craig get married they'll have to put seats down the middle as we are related to both sides."

The family now see Laura and Madison at least once a week.

"We are all so proud of them," said Lynda.

"And Madison is such a lovely baby, she is as good as gold.

"I don't think Ethel can believe it.

"Whenever you see her she is always asking how her great-great grandchild is.

"She is over the moon and so happy to have seen it."