Ref. 28264--72EMMA-KATE Lidbury reports on a farm centre where real animals are being used to bring the story of Christmas to life.

YOUNG children and trained animals have been bringing the Christmas nativity scene to life at Roves Farm, near Swindon.

Hundreds of children have visited the centre to star alongside donkeys, cows and llamas posing as camels in the straw bale arena while parents sit back and watch.

The play, Donkey's First Christ-mas, is performed three or four times a day with help from staff at the centre.

Jacqueline Stamatopoulos, manager of Roves Farm, said: "All children who come in are invited to take part. We're getting some real stars on stage, it's brilliant.

"We're very relaxed about it. Things sometimes go wrong and there are a few delays. It's not perfect, but it's very funny.

"Every performance is different. The children are usually in awe of the animals. It's unique."

Children have come from all over Wiltshire and Oxfordshire to visit the centre.

The first performance was last weekend and there have been at least 100 children visiting each day.

Margaret Pursch, who is the voice behind the cow, said: "We've all been very busy making costumes for the children. It's so much fun. Who said never work with animals and children!

"We have decorated the stable so that it looks like Bethlehem.

"The children are acting alongside the same kind of animals that shared their shelter with baby Jesus."

Owner of Roves Farm Rupert Burr is the voice of the donkey and staff Katie Allen and Marianne Yon are playing the innkeeper and Joseph respectively.

As well as the nativity scene, Father Christmas is visiting the farm throughout December.

Children will be able to visit his grotto, receive a present and leave their Christmas letters in the official Father Christmas post box.

Apart from all the usual play areas being open, there are also lots of different Christmas craft activities from which the children can choose.

Parents can also join in the craft sessions and make Christmas wreaths.

The visitor centre will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December and also from Wednes-day, December 17, until Tuesday, December 23. Performances take place on each of those days.

For more information please call 01793 763939 or visit www.rovesfarm.co.uk

The Evening Advertiser's Nativity supplement will be published on Friday, featuring pictures of youngsters' nativity plays from around the area.