FIVE-year-old Zachary Sewell was this evening (Sunday) given the honour of lighting the Christmas tree at Durham Cathedral.

The service started with carols performed by the cathedral choir around the tree, which this year is a locally grown Norwegian Spruce that is over 25ft high.

Zachary’s mother Gabriel Sewell, 39, originally from Cambridge but now living in Durham, said the Durham Choristers pupil has been looking forward to the role, which took place in front of a packed congregation, since midweek.

Mrs Sewell, head of collections at Durham Cathedral, said: “He really loved it. He was a bit nervous in the morning but just got on with it. It was quite magical really.

“We were very proud.”

The service finished at the West End of the Cathedral where the Crib is set up depicting the Nativity with figures carved by Michael Doyle, a retired miner from Houghton-le-Spring.

The figures make reference to the mining industry; the donkey is a pit pony with all its harness and trappings, the crib is a ‘choppie box’ in which the ponies were given their feed underground and the innkeeper is dressed as a miner with a whippet at his side.

The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, Dean of the Durham, performed the Blessing of the Crib before the congregation and the clergy.

The dean said: “This year we are all thinking of the children of Newtown and also the children of Syria, many of whom are refugees and trying to escape the violence there.

“Christmas is a time to hold all needy people in our hearts. If we can do that with Christian compassion and care we can make a difference.

“The meaning of Christmas is that God shows his love to all of us we need to show our love and compassion to other people. That is the gift of Christmas to me and lighting the tree is the light shining into dark places, giving us all hope and strength for the future.”

Full details of all services and events over Christmas and the New Year can be found on the cathedral’s website durhamcathedral.co.uk