MORE than 100 pupils from a Darlington school took to the stage yesterday, for the first public performance of their Christmas play.

The nativity show, Miracle Child, was performed in front of parents, friends and staff at Heathfield Primary School.

Many of the pupils, aged between seven and nine, designed their own costumes for a wide variety of characters. They included the traditional kings, angels and shepherds, but the play also had a modern feel.

It is based around a modern family and the main character is a young girl called Ricky, who goes from being a selfish and greedy person, to discovering the real meaning of Christmas.

Teacher and director, Judith Hamilton, said: "This is a great musical and the pupils have really got involved with learning their lines and the dance moves.

"The story centres around a family, which decides to put on a nativity play, and finally finds out the real spirit of Christmas. But it also has all the elements of a traditional nativity play."

Miracle Child will be performed tonight at the school, at 6pm.