TWO four-legged animals are once again aiming to steal the show at a special church service on Christmas Eve.

Miniature Shetland ponies Angus and Freddie were among the stars of the nativity last year at the Holy Trinity Church’s service on December 24.

The two animals are again part of this year’s Come to the Christmas Stable service at the Haddington church, which takes place at 5pm.

The pint-sized pair will be led up the centre of the church as part of the production – before being left to relax in a stable made of hay at the side of the altar.

The Rev Canon Anne Dyer, rector at the Holy Trinity Church on Church Street, first thought of producing a nativity with a difference last year.

She told the Courier they had always had a real Joseph, Mary and Jesus and thought adding some real animals was the next step.

Between 150 and 200 people are expected at the service, which features carol singing from 4.40pm.

Ms Dyer added: “The ponies were there last year and the little kids just loved them.

“It just made the whole thing kind of realistic.

“Christ was born in a stable and we turn the top end of the church into a stable.

“We clear out all the furniture and put hay and the ponies in there.

“Mary and Joseph arrive and the baby comes; we have got a real baby, and the whole thing just feels, for little children, more exciting.”

Angus will be led down the aisle by Anna Thomson and her three-year-old daughter Honor, while 10-year-old Katie Campbell from North Berwick will be leading Freddie through the church.

Once the duo have finished their walk-on part, they will be taken back to their East Lothian home for a big bucket of food as a reward for their thespian efforts.

Ms Dyer said the youngsters loved seeing not only the animals but also baby Jesus.

And in the church, the cleaning up will begin with the hay stable dismantled and any ‘calling cards’ the pair have left scooped up and taken away. There will also be a collection for the Save the Children Child Refugee Crisis Appeal, with all welcome to attend the service.