ROLY the donkey was the star of the show when he led special Palm Sunday processions.

The 31-year-old, who is a resident at Smithills Open Farm, took part in the hour long Ecumenical Palm Sunday walk from Edgworth Methodists Church to St Anne’s Church.

The mile long walk represented Jesus arriving in Jerusalem on a donkey.

Barbara Arundel helped organise the walk to St Anne’s Church. Mrs Arundel, who lives in Bromley Cross, said: “The event was fantastic. Everybody loved Roly. He was very good – all the children patted him and stroked him. They were feeding him polo mints which he loved very much – he didn’t have any carrots. It’s the third year we have organised the donkey walk.

“There were 40 or so people at St Anne’s and more than 100 people took part in the walk. It was a fantastic success. It was a real team effort but Roly was the star of the show.”

In the afternoon he led a procession from Christ’s Church to Harwood Methodist Church Hall.

Representing the Anglican church were the Bishop of Bolton the Rt Rev Mark Ashcroft and the Rev Wendy Oliver. The Roman Catholic faith was represented by Fr Frank Parkinson. The Methodists were represented by Rev Dr Roger Walton President of the Methodist Conference, Rev Paul Martin Methodist Chair of District, and Rev Jennifer McKenzie the Methodist Superintendent.

After a short service at each church, hot cross buns were served.