A WELSH pony called Wilfred will be standing in for his ill friend Peter the donkey at a live nativity in Calne on Saturday.

The pair are favourites with children at Heddington Wick Riding School, and the Calne churches arranging the event are more than happy with their replacement.

Peter the donkey had been lined up for the starring role in the traditional Christmas story of Mary and Joseph's journey to the stable in Bethlehem.

But several weeks ago the 17-year-old came down with a bad eye condition and owner Isabella Gage said he was not quite up to coping with the limelight at the weekend.

Christina Whyte from St Mary's Church said: "It would have been nice to have a donkey but poor Peter isn't well enough and we are quite happy to have his friend Wilfred.

"He will be at the stable before the shepherds and wise men arrive."

Members of the congregation are currently putting the finishing touches to a stable which will be put up outside the old Post Office in Calne on Saturday.

At 3pm people dressed as Mary, Joseph, shepherds and kings will make their way to the nativity.

Mrs Whyte said the church was keen to bring home the simple message of Christmas in today's hurried, modern times. "It is so easy these days to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything," she said.