Youngsters at a Telford primary school have been performing a nativity play with a difference after teachers decided to combine Christmas with The X Factor.

This year’s festive play at Ladygrove School, in Dawley, saw over 70 pupils emulating stars such as JLS and Jedward in a specially-themed “Xmas-Factor” event.

The play was the brainchild of teachers at the school, who wanted to give children the chance to perform as their favourite pop stars, while also learning the message of Christmas. Kari Anson, from Ladygrove School, said: “It is a spin-off of The X Factor, with the host, judges and children performing the acts, but it also has the nativity as well.

“The angels perform with the little children, while the older ones get to be groups like JLS. It is a real mix of the up-to-date and nativity, but in the end, Mary, Joseph and Jesus win.”

The play was first performed last year and was updated with versions of this year’s big stars from reality shows, as well host Dermot O’Leary and the four judges.

Kari added: “We scripted it from the comments made on a Saturday night and applying them to the acts. We got all the children involved and they all got to go on stage and perform.”

The play involved pupils from across the school’s age range and was performed in front of parents and fellow youngsters.