Being part of an inter-racial family is wonderful as far as Sian Guthrie and her three brothers are concerned. They are all united in love.

"No-one ever thinks about colour, we are all one big happy family and we will be even more so in a few weeks' time," said mum Lavine Guthrie (29), of Sunnyhill.

For then Sian (10), who is the child of a previous relationship, is to be legally adopted by Lavine's husband Patrick.

It will be a big day for the whole family. They will go to court, meet the judge, collect Sian's new birth certificate, take photographs to mark the special day and then enjoy a celebratory meal.

"It's important to us all and a day we all want to remember," said Lavine.

Not that Sian has ever felt anything but part of the Guthrie clan.

"From the moment Patrick came into my life she has been important to him. She has never been anything but his daughter. I just want this to be done legally in case anything happens to me. I want her to always know she is an equal member of our family," said Lavine.

Sian's brothers Callum (eight), Keenan (seven) and five-year-old Alex naturally love their big sister to bits, which is one reason why Lavine wanted to prepare them all in case colour was ever an issue.

"I believe you can tell children most things, so long as they are old enough to understand it. So we have discussed her difference of colour, but only because I wanted them all to be prepared in case someone else, perhaps at school one day, mentioned it.

"There was an old man who pushed her aside and was nasty to her once when we were all out and I was furious, but it's best ignored.

"You have to accept that people have different views. I just want my children to always be open about things."

Lavine is herself the result of a white mother and a Jamaican father.

"I had an awful childhood and have lost contact with my own family. I don't want that to happen to Sian or any of my children. I know how important a happy family life is.

"Patrick and I try never to have words and we always discuss things together and with the children. I don't think people give youngsters enough credit for understanding things. They talk behind closed doors and hush things up. I don't go along with that. I think kids are pretty resilient and understand a lot."

She and Patrick talked to Sian a couple of years ago about her colour because they wanted to prepare her for whatever came along. Now they have talked about the adoption.

Said Lavine: "She knows her dad is adopting her because he loves her but we gave her the choice. Like a typical child she just accepted it. She did ask a few questions but that was it. I don't ever want her to feel she has been rejected. She certainly will never feel that way in this family."

The adoption, she feels, is "just a tying up of the ends. If we didn't do it and then something happened to me Patrick wouldn't have any parental rights. That would be terrible for him, as well as the children."

Difficulties of any kind are something this family is good at rising above. The worst thing that has happened to them was when eldest son Callum was diagnosed with diabetes shortly after starting school.

He spent five days in hospital - two in intensive care - and now has to watch everything he eats and drinks, regularly check his blood sugar and have two injections of insulin every day.

"I just wish it had been me and not him. It's awful for such a young child, but that is the way it is. Sian, like the others, fusses over him and keeps a firm eye on what he is up to."

All the children go to St George's RC School and this makes Lavine feel happier because they all know what to do if Callum is taken ill.

"They watch out for him. That's the way families should behave. Diabetes is a part of Callum's life so, of course, it's part of ours too. We all pull together." pic on desktop