HUNDREDS of people were expected to flock to York Minster on Christmas Eve for one of the most popular services in the annual calendar.

The Crib Service, in which the model of the baby Jesus is placed into his crib by a lucky child volunteer, attracts children from across the city every year.

This year, there was a slight hitch prior to the proceedings - Jesus had a broken thumb.

His injury was spotted when church staff went to the Church House to take all the figures, some of which date from the 1920s, out of storage to set up the crib scene.

"Every year, the figures are wrapped in bubble wrap and stored in the Church House attic. But when we unwrapped baby Jesus, we saw that his right thumb had been damaged," said Alex Carberry, head verger.

During the service, from 12 noon on Christmas Eve, the newly-restored baby Jesus was due to be carried up to the crib and placed under the watchful gaze of Mary, Joseph and the shepherds gathered around them.

Then, children will be invited to approach the nativity scene and place gifts on the straw around the figures. This part of the service has developed entirely by itself, but it has now become something of a tradition.

Canon Jeremy Fletcher, precentor of York Minster, said: "We have never asked the children to bring presents, but people always do. It's lovely, though, because in the weeks after Christmas, we distribute them to various charitable organisations in York and North Yorkshire."

The boys and girls from the Minster Choir led the congregation in singing carols for the service, representing the nature of the service as being essentially for children.

The tradition of having a crib scene in Christian churches dates largely from the 13th century, when St Francis of Assisi popularised the idea.

"St Francis was particularly keen that people who couldn't read should be able to be involved in the Christmas story. That's why he spread the tradition of having a crib scene. In some churches, the crib scene is used as the altar for the Christmas period," said Canon Fletcher.

York Minster's crib scene will remain in position until about the middle of January, said Mr Carberry.

"Since the Archbishop of York is retiring on January 15, we will leave the crib in place until the week before that," he said.

The Minster will hold two more Christmas services. There will be a service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 4pm on Christmas Eve, sung by the Minster Choir.

Midnight Eucharist will be sung by the St William's Singers, former Minster choristers, starting at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, December 23, 2004