SOME 60 Worcester schoolchildren almost missed their live nativity when snow and ice saw their coach come to a grinding halt.

The youngsters from Cranham Primary School in Tetbury Drive were almost at Longlands Care Farm in Whitbourne, when their bus became stuck.

As a result, the youngsters got off the bus and walked through the snow to the barn where their nativity with live farm animals was being held.

The children had a farm tour before dressing up for the live-action nativity.

During the performance, Mary arrived on a Shetland pony, and the shepherds led real sheep in to see the baby Jesus – who was just waking up to greet them.

Julia Evans, chief executive officer of Longlands Care Farm, said: "The first Christmas didn’t go entirely to plan either, did it? And they landed up in a barn too. The children were great, and took it all in their stride."

For more information go to www.longlandscarefarm.co.uk.

Nearly 300 children have attended nativities at Longlands this year, welcomed and helped by students from the care farm – teenagers who struggle with mainstream school but at Longlands experience real work on a farm and complete land-based studies.