MUCH-loved rescue donkeys Bluebell and Daisy were the stars of the show when a special Christmas carol service was held on Saturday.

The venue was the Bluebell Inn, Guarlford Road, and the event was organised by Rev Val Needham, who has staged many popular donkey events in the town.

The event was held to raise money for Lucy’s Sanctuary for Holy Land Donkeys, founded in 2015 by Lucy Fensom to provide veterinary support and treatment for donkeys, horses and mules.

Seven-year-olds Grace Giudicotti-Poplawska and Jacob Hardwick led Bluebell and Daisy on a promenade around the building as young families arrived.

The event continued with magic tricks, dancing, Christmas carols and gospel songs, as well as a section commemorating World War One truces.

Finally, with light-sticks handed out around the room, Rev Needham and the team brought the event to an end with the gospel song This Little Light of Mine.

Rev Needham said: "I am so proud of my team. They each contributed so much and we are so grateful to Sarah Cuddy and all her customers for making us really welcome and for contributing so generously to the charity we all support, Lucy’s Sanctuary for Holy Land Donkeys.

"Although our performance only lasted an hour, we collected the grand total of £142.45 and Sarah has told me that she is continuing the raffle until the New Year which will bring in more much needed funds to Lucy and her donkeys.

"I personally want to send an enormous thank you to those warm and loving people who were at the Bluebell Inn on Saturday.

"I have arranged with Lucy that I will purchase much-needed medical supplies as this will ensure that every penny goes directly to her donkeys and the other animals she has taken in."

Rev Needham's donkey event will be the May Day procession on Sunday, April 30, 2017.