THOUSANDS of pupils across the Tees Valley are taking part in a touring nativity play this Christmas.

Are We Nearly There Yet, the musical, was launched last night in Eston, but will visit a number of venues across the area.

The performances will feature more than 4,000 primary school pupils from 78 schools across Tees Valley.

Each show will feature a different school performing on stage, along with different schools making up the enormous choir.

The show tells the story of modern-day characters preparing to make the journey to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph for the birth of Christ.

There are the usual wise men who follow the star, shepherds who are startled by the angel Gabriel, and the more unusual Walker family, who are making their way to the manger as part of their holiday.

Flustered, bickering and with luggage everywhere, their journey depicts the familiar story behind family holidays.

There will be seven performances, with a different choir of up to 600 pupils each night singing the songs, accompanied by a band comprised of staff from the Tees Valley Music Service.

The performances are being co-ordinated by Christine Cope, assistant manager of the music service, supported by staff from the Curriculum Services Faculty.

She said: "The youngsters have really put a lot of effort into these performances and I'm sure the events will be a night to remember."

The show is at Eston Sports Academy, in Normanby Road, tonight, as it was last night.

There will be two performances at St Mary's Cathedral, in Coulby Newham, one at Mill House Leisure Centre, in Hartlepool, and two at Thornaby Pavilion.

Members of the public are not invited to attend the performances as all seats are being taken by the pupils' families.