IN the run up to Christmas children in primary schools in Princetown, Meavy and Walkhampton and various play groups in the area will be taking the opportunity to invite Mary and Joseph into their homes as they journey to Bethlehem in time for the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

The Rev Preb Nick Shutt said: 'This idea is based on a Mexican tradition called Posada, which is a great way of engaging the family in the run up to Christmas.

'During Advent the children take home puppets of Mary and Joseph together with a game and some prayers that they can say at home.

'The next day the puppets are returned and their journey continues with another family.

'The children have the opportunity of writing comments about what they have been up to as they journey with Mary and Joseph, and so over a few weeks, a diary builds up.

'The journey is concluded on Christmas Eve with a Crib Service at St Paul's Church, Yelverton at 4pm.'

A small group of ladies in West Dartmoor Benefice have been busy knitting puppets of Mary, Joseph and a donkey for the last few weeks to have enough to supply to local schools and play groups.

Mr Shutt added: 'More than one person has suggested that the puppets look like the knitted character off Harry Hill's TV Burp.

'It's all good fun and I am glad everyone is getting into the spirit of Christmas, making the Christmas story come to life for our young people and reminding them what Christmas is all about.'