ST JAMES Church kicked off the Easter period by welcoming a donkey to lead a procession on Palm Sunday.

Frosty the donkey, owned by Clare Humphreys from West Ashton, led a procession of around 120 people around the church in Church Street following a Palm Sunday service led by rector Rob James.

Palm Sunday is a Christian feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter to commemorate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which is mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels.

Mr James said: “It was a really wonderful evening and the weather couldn’t have been better.

“We were re-enacting the story of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey where there was a big crowd to welcome him.

"I was delighted to see a large crowd of people at the church, all waving palm branches and enjoying the weather.

“Frosty has been leading the procession for the past four years and he’s brilliant. After the procession children had the opportunity to stroke him and he’s always so placid.

“This is the perfect way to kick off the busy Easter period, with a number of services lined up next weekend.”

There was also an opportunity for the congregation to sing a selection of hymns before enjoying a cup of tea and biscuits in the church hall.