TAVISTOCK parish church this week reported record attendances for the Christmas period. Numbers of worshippers at St Eustachius' for the parish carol service, midnight mass and on Christmas Day were the highest for many years.

In particular, those coming to the crib service on Christmas Eve exceeded all expectations.

Churchwarden Cathy Sherlock said: 'We were slightly taken unawares.

'In past years we've always had about 300 to that service, whether it's been icy or good weather. This year, people just kept coming in through the doors! We ended up with over 630, which is absolutely wonderful — and about our maximum capacity!'

Mrs Sherlock attributed the interest in the crib service to the donkey and sheep that the service featured.

'They were such an absolute hit with the children — it got people's Christmas off to a brilliant start.'

The record attendances have inspired plans for Christmas this year.

The priest-in-charge, the Rev Michael Brierley, said: 'We really don't want anyone to feel it's too crowded, so we will be holding two identical crib services on Christmas Eve in 2012, at 3.30pm and 5pm, and people can come for whichever of these times most suits them.'