SPECIES of a different kind appeared at Cleveland's Preperatory School, when it put on a Christmas nativity play featuring aliens.

The nativity was performed by about 60 children, from nursery up to Year Two, in front of their families and school staff.

Thomas Mitchell, Year Two teacher at the school, said: "It was great fun.

"The aliens were a very effective a very creative way of getting across the story of Christmas.

"The children engaged with the idea of aliens straight away and really enjoyed themselves.

"More than 100 parents watched the nativity and the feedback they gave us was very encouraging."

The children's parents provided the costumes for the nativity, which was directed by Mr Mitchell.

Research shows that nearly half of schools across the UK have scrapped traditional play for updated version starring modern characters such as aliens, punk fairies, footballers, drunk spacemen, Elvis and recycling bins.