The pitter-patter of tiny feet and hooves could be heard as Yatesbury's children flocked into church to have their animals blessed by the Bishop of Ramsbury.

The children brought their dogs, cats, goats and horses for the Bishop's blessing in All Saints Church.

There were even two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and a three-legged hamster.

It took place a small paddock on Sunday in the grounds of the village hall next to the church.

The Bishop Peter Hullah invited the crowd of nearly 80 people to join him in a rendition of All Creatures Great And Small.

He then blessed the animals, thanking God for creating the creatures of the world to love and share their owners' happiness.

Church warden Gib Hancock, said: "It was a super day for the children and the village.

"There are an increasing number of people who think we should do this kind of thing, which brings people together, more often."

The day started with a thanksgiving service for the children conducted by the Bishop with the help of the youngsters who gave the prayers and readings.

He gave a talk about all the gifts he had received, including his mitre, staff and cope, but as he talked about each item he took it off and gave it to the children.

In a minutes there were boys and girls fighting for his staff, wearing his hat and rolled up in his cloak.

The diocese of Salisbury has a close relationship with churches in the Sudan and during the service each child was invited to bring a toy to be donated to children in Africa.

They presented the Bishop, who is also the Cannon of Yatesbury, with enough teddies, colouring books and baby cloths to fill three bin bags.

But Yatesbury was not the only village to host an animal blessing on Sunday. The Rev Bob Kenway of St Peter's Church, Blacklands, in Quemerford, held a short service in a barn near the church.

He said: " was happy to do it. The strangest and certainly the slimiest creature I've ever blessed was a Giant African Land Snail, but I've never had to bless anything aggressive.

"I touch each animal individually and say a little prayer of blessing for it and hope to goodness it doesn't bite."