ALIENS take centre stage at the Minster School this Christmas as its youngest children bring some extraterrestrial twists to the traditional nativity play.

The children of the reception and Years One and Two classes will be putting on their annual Christmas performance for parents and families this evening in the atmospheric surroundings of the Minster’s Chapter House.

But the age-old story will have a new twist, as the children introduce the story of Christmas to aliens sent to investigate the new star.

The “light people” – as the extraterrestrials are called – ask what Christmas is and in reply the children tell them the Christmas story.

Pre-prep department head Jane Donaldson said: “There’s huge excitement in the department.

“The reception class – who play the light people – even do an alien dance to Star Man by David Bowie.”

About 50 children from the three year groups will take part in the play, which is the school’s main Christmas celebration.