A PRIMARY school has eschewed traditional notions of a Christmas play and has gone back to wartime Britain for inspiration.

Great Smeaton Academy Primary School teacher Ralph Goodchild wrote ‘Hey Mister Churchill’ himself to give pupils an alternative to the usual nativity story.

Set against the backdrop of World War II it tells the tale of two evacuees on a mission to get Father Christmas to be nice to Adolph Hitler in the hope that the festive spirit will encourage him to end the war.

Rather than taking on roles such as the Wise Men and Mary, the children are channelling spivs and soldiers instead.

Christmas carols have been replaced by 1940s songs and the performance is packed full of vintage comedy references from the likes of Dad’s Army and the Two Ronnie’s for the adults.

Mr Goodchild, who teaches year 5 and 6, said he put pen to paper after struggling to find a seasonal drama that inspired him.

The school is putting on two shows on Monday at 2pm and 6pm and all are welcome.