A church is hosting a carol service with a twist – in a working stable.

Children from St John’s Church at Greengates came up with the idea of holding the service among farm animals, in a nod to the birth of the baby Jesus in a Bethlehem stable.

The Apperley Bridge night is the latest in a series of unusual events that is attracting dozens of new parishioners.

The church’s vicar, the Rev Tracy Milne, said: “It’s a carol service with a twist. After a suggestion by the children, we’re having the service in a stable not far from the church and the farm’s Shetland pony will be impersonating the traditional donkey.

“Not many people know there’s a farm near this busy Bradford road - it’s owned by our churchwarden Muriel Gabbutt.

“There’s a real buzz in Greengates about the church at the moment so, as we’re expecting a crowd, Muriel’s letting us put up a marquee as well.”

Ms Milne, who joined the church in May, said “friendly and interactive” events such as this meant young families were now flocking to the church.

Over the past six months, she has seen the congregation increase more than tenfold.

In May, only 14 older women would regularly attend church services. Since then, more than 150 new people have joined the church, many of whom are young families.

She said: “I like to walk around the area chatting to people and drawing the community together as much as possible.

“We focus a lot on the children, with friendly and interactive services, but when the parents come with them they’re amazed to discover that the church is relevant and appropriate for them.

“As well as a traditional service we have a cafe church when we sit around with bacon butties, decent coffee and the Sunday newspapers.

“We read the papers, swap them around and then pray about some of the things they bring up.”

She said they also had special evening meetings for women called Wow (Women of Worth).

“It’s great to see how ready people are to get involved,” she said.

The stable carol service will be held on Sunday. People wanting to attend should meet at 1.45pm by the Bridge Cafe, in Apperley Road. Stewards will direct people to the stable, which is down a back lane.