Southport's Alex Braham believes he made synagogue history on Wednesday, when he completed the honour of being Chatan Bereishit - the man who makes the blessing over the beginning verses of the new Torah cycle.

Twenty-four-year-old Mr Braham was chosen from more than 100 members to carry out the honour at the Southport Hebrew Congregation on Simchat Torah. He is thought to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest, Chatanim in Southport ever.

"I was delighted that they chose me since it is usually reserved for elder members of the community," Mr Braham tells People.

"And it was great that my cousin, David Joseph, had been chosen to be Chatan Torah in Higher Prestwich Hebrew Congregation."

A trainee journalist, Mr Braham lives in Southport but intends to move to Manchester.