Animals among stars in church nativity play...

[dutchman]

A camel was among the animals to star in the production in Ball Hill



Hundreds of people have gathered in a Coventry church to watch a nativity play with real animals among the stars.

A camel, donkeys and sheep all played parts in the "scratch" production at St Margaret's Church in Ball Hill, where some attendees, including children and adults, decided which part they wanted to play on arrival.

The Reverend Pam Howell, who organised the event and was the narrator, said a camel "lolloping along" a Coventry street to the church was "a sight to see".

"People love to see the animals, it's really great to be able to invite lots of people in," she said.

The camel, Soraya, who was accompanied by her handlers from Joseph's Amazing Camels, was the "smallest" the organisers could find as they needed to make sure "it could get through the door", Ms Howell said.

Pigs, goats and chickens, from Ark Farm in Bedford also starred in the nativity play, as well as spectators offered costumes and being encouraged to get involved.

Ms Howell, who has organised nativity plays across the city for the past decade, said last year seven girls wanted to play Mary.

"I'm not going to disappoint any of them so we had enough costumes for all of them to play the part at the same time," she added.

The production was also accompanied by an appearance by Father Christmas and sandwiches for about 250 people in attendance.

Volunteers from Destination Ball Hall, a neighbourhood group that works to improve the area, helped make the production happen and it was "a real community effort", Ms Howell said.

"We're all working together for the good of the community," she added.