A VILLAGE church was packed as primary school youngsters retold the story of Christmas.

More than 200 children from St Anne's Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, took part in the annual festive concert at St Andrew's Church, South Church, this week.

Parents, families and friends queued to get into the building to attend what was one of the highlights of the year for the school.

This year, the children, aged from four to 11, chose to look at the Christmas story through the eyes of the different characters involved.

Headteacher Beth Atkinson, who took up her post in September, said the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

She said: "The church is such a beautiful setting and everyone was so impressed by the confident performance of the children.

"It is such a popular occasion and I'm delighted with the huge amount of support we received from families and friends who came along to watch."