THE animals came in two-by-two – as technical rehearsals began for a retelling of the Bible stories.

Noah met his animals for the first time for the Ark scene for the York Minster Mystery Plays, which open next week.

The lion, donkey, zebra and dodo are just some of more than 60 pairs of creatures that have been specially created to work within the epic scale of the cathedral.

Created by professional prop makers and a small team of volunteers, they include everything from scorpions, budgies and chameleons through to beavers, buffaloes and elephants.

A whale and a myriad of fish have also been designed for the Creation scenes by talented students from York College.

The medieval plays dramatise the greatest story ever told – from the creation of heaven and earth to the last judgement.

And it is the first time in 16 years and only the second time in their near 700 year history that the plays have been performed at York Minster.

Roger Farrington from York, playing Noah, has been involved with the Mystery Plays since 1976 and is one of a community cast of over 200 from right across Yorkshire taking to the stage next week.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to meet the animals on stage ahead of opening night next Thursday,” he said.

“They are absolutely stunning creations and the audience will definitely fall in love with them all and want to take them home.”

Tickets can be purchased online at yorkminster.org/mysteryplays2016 or by calling 01904-623568 or in person from the York Theatre Royal’s Box Office at the De Grey Rooms in St Leonards Place, York, and at York Minster’s visitor admission desks.