A LIVE nativity featuring camels, a donkey and a real baby is returning to the streets of Durham.

The event will see Durham Market Place filled with live animals, angels, shepherds and Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in a re-telling of the Christmas story.

Volunteers from local churches and community groups will be telling the tale with a specially written script with plenty of North-East references.

Revd Joanne Thorns, from St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, said: “The Durham City nativity is a unique opportunity to witness our local community coming together to help us be part of the Christmas story as it unfolds in a different, unusual setting in the heart of the city.

“We are inviting everyone to join us in a busy town and follow the signs with the shepherds, angels and wise men to find a very special baby.”

Music will be provided by a choir made up of members of local churches and supported by the Durham University Gospel Choir and includes a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus and carols for all to join in.

The nativity will include actors volunteering from churches and community groups.

The three wise men will process into the Market Place on camels while Mary and Joseph will be accompanied by a donkey.

All the action will take place around three stages in the Market Place and will be followed by free hot chocolate in St Nicholas’ and an opportunity to say a prayer or light a candle.

The event, which is being organised by St Nicholas’ Church and Durham Business Improvement District (Bid), took place for the first time last year when hundreds of people turned up to watch the familiar story unfold.

It takes place on Thursday, December 8 from 6pm.