THEY are the typical British family...

but they’ve been charged with trying to modernise the BBC’s Songs of Praise and just so happen to be from south Essex.

The Corrs, of Shop Row, Paglesham, were signed up by producers of the BBC institution to help modernise the programme by taking part in a series of challenges.

Parents Martin, 42, and Sam, 40, plus twins Sophie and Charlotte, 15, and Aimee, 14, have cycled part of the Tour de France route and even learnt to swim to star in the Christian hymn show.

The family applied after spotting an advert in their chuch, St Theresa Church in Ashingdon Road, Rochford.

Sam said: “It’s been a real family affair.

“We have always been a strong family but it has brought us all closer together. I think it comes across in the programme.”

Throughout the show, the family was called to travel to a location, where their next challenge was then revealed.

They have had to race to put up tents in a parents vs children competition at Wallasea Island campsite, cycled around Ilford to mark the UK’s part in the Tour de France, and planted a memorial garden in the grounds of their church to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.

But the biggest challenge came when they were told to swim 60 lengths to mark this summer’s Commonwealth Games, even though Martin has never learnt to swim.

The Corrs shared the distance, and thanks to support from a hoard of friends and family cheering from the side of the pool, Martin managed 15 lengths.

Sam added: “They wanted to see howwe reacted to the different challenges.

It was about pulling together as a family.

“From not being able to swim, to doing 15 lengths is a big achievement.

The whole family got behind him. It has been fun.

“The cycling will make very interesting television as we kept banging into each other.”

The family still have one challenge left to film, which will take place on June 8 when Sophie, Charlotte and Aimee are confirmed at the church.

The series of challenges will be broadcast over six episodes on Songs of Praise, starting on June 22.