The animals came in two by two – but in a massive lorry in deepest Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: George Cushing unpacks a reindeer for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. The event is now being postponed because of lockdown. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGeorge Cushing unpacks a reindeer for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. The event is now being postponed because of lockdown. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

A rhino, giraffe and lion travelled all the way from China to the Thursford Collection, near Fakenham in the venue’s bid to give Norfolk folk a happy Christmas.

The animals – life-sized replicas, covered with silk and with lights inside – are part of the new Enchanted Journey of Light show which is replacing the annual Christmas Spectacular at Thursford because of Covid.

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Eastern Daily Press: Thursford team unpacking life sized light up animals and festive show pieces. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANThursford team unpacking life sized light up animals and festive show pieces. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Bosses at Thursford took the difficult decision to cancel the annual Christmas show – which attracts more than 100,000 visitors from across the world. They also put on hold a £4m project to create a new children’s play area.

But they felt they had to do something and invested £300,000 in the new show which takes visitors on a magical 1km walk through a light extravaganza, inside and out, past various scenes including a jungle, an ice kingdom and reindeer.

George Cushing, projects and marketing manager, said: “We couldn’t cancel Christmas, it’s what Thursford is all about so we are keeping it alive in the best way we can.”

Eastern Daily Press: A reindeer is unpacked for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANA reindeer is unpacked for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

After some delays in transit, the animals arrived at Thursford, to be unpacked ready for the new show which opens next month. These add to previous unusual deliveries of eight reindeer, 30 giant flowers, 50 presents and 10 snowmen.

Mr Cushing, grandson of Thursford’s founder and son of chief executive John Cushing, said: “We didn’t want the animals to be like anything else you’ve seen, we chose weird and wonderful colours because we wanted to create something magical, to really inspire children’s imagination and give them a show to remember.”

The harsh reality is that Thursford may not even be able to put on the Christmas Spectacular next year because of the pandemic, he said. So if the new show is a success it will return 2021.

Already 30,000 tickets have been sold. Visitors will walk, with each group socially distanced from each other, through a Christmas-themed path into the Thursford theatre.

Eastern Daily Press: The rhino which will be part of the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANThe rhino which will be part of the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

The Enchanted Journey of Light runs from November 19 until January 3.

Eastern Daily Press: A giraffe arrives as part of the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANA giraffe arrives as part of the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: George Cushing and the giraffe which arrived for the Enchanted Journey of Light show at Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGeorge Cushing and the giraffe which arrived for the Enchanted Journey of Light show at Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: George Cushing with some of the 'presents' for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGeorge Cushing with some of the 'presents' for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The lion arrives for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANThe lion arrives for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: George Cushing and his team unpack items for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANGeorge Cushing and his team unpack items for the Enchanted Journey of Light show coming to Thursford. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The Thursford Collection near Fakenham. Picture: EDPThe Thursford Collection near Fakenham. Picture: EDP (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The Enchanted Journey of Light at Thursford takes visitors on a magical walk and replaces the annual Christmas Spectacular because of Covid. Pic: EDPThe Enchanted Journey of Light at Thursford takes visitors on a magical walk and replaces the annual Christmas Spectacular because of Covid. Pic: EDP (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Thursford's Enchanted Journey of Light replaces its annual Christmas Spectacular but promises to get visitors in the festive mood. Pic: EDPThursford's Enchanted Journey of Light replaces its annual Christmas Spectacular but promises to get visitors in the festive mood. Pic: EDP (Image: Archant)