WHEN Bolton schoolchildren put on their Nativity play, they made it as authentic as possible - by staging it in a barn.

Not only that, they decided against using stage prop animals by bringing in a real donkey for Mary to ride on.

The cast of 24 pupils from Gilnow Primary School had moved from their classrooms in Gilnow Gardens to Smithills Open Farm for their authentic production of the Christmas story.

The five and six-year-olds had spent the last couple of weeks rehearsing in the school hall under the direction of the schools early years team and needed just one dress rehearsal before moving to the farm in the grounds of Smithills Hall for their performance.

Headteacher Beverley True said: "We have a very good relationship with the farm. Animals from there have been brought to the school and children have gone to the farm.

"It is usually the reception children who perform the Nativity but we wanted to do something for the older children.

"This year, for the first time, the farm allowed children in years one and two to perform the Nativity in a real setting."

A farm donkey, Charlie, was ridden by Mary, played by Fadus Arele, and led by Joseph, who was played by Tom Farr.

The traditional story was performed alongside modern Christmas songs such as Stable Story, sung by the choir.

And the performance was enjoyed by around 50 parents, grandparents and younger brothers and sisters of the cast.

Mrs True said: "It was simply magical. The sound of the animals at the farm added to the production and the children loved it.

"It is something we would look to do again. It was very atmospheric."