CHILDREN are to star in a church’s nativity event alongside real animals in a stable.

Liphook Church will stage a ‘live nativity’ for the second successive year – with several sets of Marys and Josephs alongside real sheep, cows and donkeys.

Kiera Tucker-Brown, 10, and Alicia Sear, 8, will be among those sharing the role of Mary, while Adam Rapley, 10, and Daniel Shepherd, 8, will take turns with others to be Joseph. Adults from the congregation will don first-century Palestinian costumes to appear as shepherds, angels and wise men – with 91-year-old Ted Pilgrim appearing as a wise man for the second year.

It will take place on December 11 and, as last year, will give visitors the chance to experience the flavour of the stable in which Jesus was born 2,000 years ago.

Jane Corke, family worker at Liphook Church said: “We're delighted that the young people in our church are so keen to help us portray the nativity in this way.”

The church’s curate, the Rev Alison Bennett, said: “I hope the live nativity will be an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas shopping and Santa’s grotto. Live nativity gives people of all ages the chance to experience something of the true story of Jesus’ birth.

Visitors are welcome to drop in to the live nativity any time between 11am and 1pm on Saturday 11 December at the Church Centre, just off Portsmouth Road, Liphook, GU30 7DJ.

The event is free of charge and there will be refreshments and craft activities on offer for visitors. If you would like more information please contact the church office on 01428 725390 or visit the website on www.liphookchurch.co.uk.

A similar event will take place at Holy Rood Church, Stubbington, near Fareham, from 10am-1pm on December 18. It aims to help visitors get beyond the commercialism of Christmas and discover the real story behind the season. Bring children to meet the shepherds, angels and kings, and to stroke the animals in the stable. For more information, ring 01329 661154.