BARNARD Castle School pupils have held a nativity with a twist.

More than 50 pre-prep pupils aged between four and seven performed Angel Express.

The nativity was set in heaven as the angel paper boy interrupted a tea party and arrived with the news that a very special baby was going to be born.

The score of angels formed a choir to sing and celebrate the arrival of the newborn King but they did not start out with the best singing voices and it took the angel conductor several rehearsals to make it perfect.

In between these terrible rehearsals though, Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem aided by their little grey donkey and when they were turned away from all the inns, Gabriel appeared to the shepherds who hurried to Bethlehem and arrive shortly before the three kings who brought their gifts on their camels.

At the end of the story, the angels perfected their song and sang for the Baby Jesus.

Prep School Headmaster, Carl Rycroft, said: "The children and staff put on a great show.

“It was lovely to see such good acting and to hear such wonderful singing in this lively re-enactment of the nativity story."