THE NATIVITY play is a cornerstone of the school year, and gives parents a chance to watch their little ones performing for the first time. 

One school will be taking things to the next level with their nativity play, however, and is ditching the cardboard cut-outs of donkeys for real ones. 

Holme Grange primary school in Wokingham will be performing a live nativity play on December 8.

As well as the children, aged 3-16 years old, the show will also feature live pigs, ducks, goats, chickens, three camels and a donkey for the play.

A school spokesperson said: “We are very excited about this and believe that the children will be thrilled to see such a fantastic nativity and also see the camels and donkey up close.”

The camels and donkey will be flown over on the day of the nativity, before being taken away again, so children will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the animals.