PEOPLE in Chippenham are being encouraged to get in the festive spirit and find their inner creative spark by creating a nativity scene with a difference this Christmas.

St Andrew’s Church are encouraging people to create the iconic scene of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus using whatever materials they like for their Christmas Crib Festival.

Rev Rod Key said: “The idea is to involve as many community groups, schools, shops and individuals as possible, each producing a Christmas nativity scene of stable, manger, shepherds.

“We’re encouraging people to make them out of unusual things like bottles and icing sugar, the more unusual the better.”

Entry to the competition is free, with nativity scenes being judged at 4pm on December 2 before they are put on display in the church.

Prizes will be awarded in different categories including visual impact, most unusual materials used, aptness to the Christmas theme and the “R” Factor.