One of the newest residents of a west Norfolk village has the rare honour of playing the baby Jesus in a nativity play with a difference.

Eastern Daily Press: The Nativity scene inside St Mary's Church in Snettisham. Pictured is Ruby Greaves (7) and her dad Paul. Picture: Ian BurtThe Nativity scene inside St Mary's Church in Snettisham. Pictured is Ruby Greaves (7) and her dad Paul. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2016)

Three-month-old Jazmine Walden played the central role in the performance at St Mary's Church in Snettisham, near Hunstanton, tonight.

Her big sister Jodie Walden, 19, played Mary and their uncle Lee Walden played Joseph.

Real animals also featured. There were two calves, two goats, two sheep, four piglets and a rabbit, from Snettisham Farm Park, along with a donkey from Bircham Windmill.

Early arrivers were treated to a stunning west Norfolk sunset, with a picturesque orange sky providing a sublime backdrop to the celebrated 14th century church.

Rev Veronica Wilson, vicar of Heacham and Snettisham, said: 'When baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem it would have been chaos with lots of noise and the smell of animals and we've tried to recreate that.'

She added: 'We've always done a traditional carol service but this is the first time we've done something like this and people have responded to it really well.'

Jazmine and Jodie's mother, Zoe Walden, said: 'Everyone has been calling Jazmine baby Jesus for the last few weeks.

'It's wonderful and we're honoured to have our family involved.'

Trevor Walters, manager of Snettisham Park Farm, also a member of the parochial church council, said: 'It's all about trying to make Christmas more authentic.

'Today we're putting Santa in the background and baby Jesus into the foreground.'

The Wolferton Singers and pupils of Snettisham Primary School performed songs.