IT was a Nativity production they will never forget.

Working with children and animals in combination is said to be challenging but Joanne Newby, Year 2 teacher and Key Stage One coordinator at Howard Park Community Park School in Cleckheaton decided to put it to the test.

While conscious introducing real animals into the school's annual Nativity production could be challenging, she was also keen to grant the children's wish.

"Last year we were talking about the Nativity story and it had real animals. One of the children said our Nativity wouldn't have real animals in it."

Determined to put on a Nativity with real animals, Joanne liaised with the Peel family at Brecks Farm in Gomersal whose grandchildren attend the school.

With their help and support this year's cast included Bonnie the Pony acting as a pretend donkey to carry Mary; goats Dora and Flora and two sheep.

The Peel family also helped to set the scene providing hay bales and pens for the animals at the Oakwell Hall barn in Birstall where the production was performed.

"It took an awful lot of organising but we all thoroughly enjoyed it," says Mrs Newby.

"The children and the parents loved it - we would definitely do it again.

"It was a fantastic experience for the children because they had real animals and it was in a real barn just like it would have been for Mary and Joseph. The atmosphere and the smells it couldn't have been more perfect and it is an experience they will never forget."