But that's not to say that there isn't a role for a godparent as another supportive adult a parent can turn to for advice and help. Many parents hope their child's godparents will share, with them, a special interest in his or her upbringing and development - and many hope that, as the years roll by, their child will develop a special relationship with his godparents.

In fact as many of us no longer live close to our extended families, this supportive role of godparents could be more important than ever. "When I chose my daughter's godparents I hoped they'd be people I could turn to for a bit of help in the way I might turn to my sister if I lived nearer to her," says Andrea Simmonds. "I don't want to burden them, but it's nice to think that they're people who I can call and say, help! Could you have Olivia for a night, I'm really stuck!"

Others link the role of godparent with that of 'legal guardian' and ask them to take on the responsibility of bringing up the child if he or she was ever to be left orphaned. If you'd like this role for your child's godparents and the godparents are happy with it, you need to write it into your will with the help of a solicitor.

A member of your family or a friend - that's the first dilemma over who to choose. Some people feel family members already have a role where their child is concerned - others feel that they might lose contact with a friend, so it's better to go for someone who's a relation.

It's usually seen as a great honour to be chosen as a baby's godparent, but it's certainly worth thinking about what the person you've asked will think their job entails. If you want a godfather who'll send a card and small gift on your child's birthday each year it makes sense not to ask your beach bum of a brother who's never managed to send a card to anyone on time in his life.

For a traditional Christian baptism, you'll need to find at least one godparent who is a genuine believer. Also, some people who aren't believers may find the idea of making promises in a church unacceptable - you may want to recruit one 'believing' godparent and one or more 'unbelieving' godparents, in which case make clear to the latter people that they're not expected to renounce the devil loudly in church on the day!