ANYONE who missed out on being Mary – or Joseph – in their school nativity will finally get the chance this Christmas.

Sale residents are being invited to be a part of St Mary’s and Sale West’s nativity story – from donkeys and sheep to shepherds and even baby Jesus – this festive season.

Church member and artist Trevor Mottram created nativity scene ‘head in the hole’ boards, which will be used at various events at the two churches in the run-up to Christmas.

The churches are asking people to share the comical photos on social media using the hashtag inthestory.

The social media campaign was launched at St Mary’s Christmas Market on November 28 and a flurry of photos have already been uploaded.

Jane Mottram, parish administrator at St Mary's Church, said: “The idea is a simple one, people put their faces in the nativity boards, take a photo and upload it to social media using the hashtag inthestory. We have lots of events taking place over Christmas where the boards are available.

“We are hoping that the boards will help people to consider the real meaning of Christmas and provide a bit of community fun for everyone.”

The boards will be at the following events: St Mary’s Church free gifting wrapping service in Sale Town Centre on Saturday December 12 from 11am-3pm; Sale West Community Church’s guest service and nativity play at Sale West Community Centre, Newbury Avenue, on Sunday December 20 at 11am.

They will also be at St Mary’s Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, Moss Lane, on Sunday December 20 at 7pm; Sale West Christingle Service at Sale West Community Centre on Wednesday December 23 at 3pm; and St Mary’s Christingle Services at St Mary’s Church on Thursday December 24 at 4pm and 5.30pm.

The final outing for the boards will be at St Mary’s Christmas Day Service on Friday December 25 at 10am.