A DONKEY named Elvis marked Palm Sunday yesterday by leading a procession along Churchgate to Bolton Parish Church.

The five-year-old donkey - named after "The King" because his "eey-ore" resembles the legendary crooner's renowned "uh-hu" - was patted by families who were gathered along the historic street.

He was recruited by church choir member Evelyn Weston, who teaches at St James' Secondary School in Farnworth, to commemorate Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey.

One of the pupil's parents, Sue Stirling, works at Ladyshore Stables in Little Lever, which offered the donkey's services for the occasion.

She said: "He was very good and it did not phase him but he really didn't want to get back in the trailer."

The Rev Debbie Plumber, associate vicar at the church, where about 120 people gathered for the service marking the start of Easter week, said: "It's not very often you would associate Jesus with Elvis.

"It was the first time we have had a donkey and it was a lovely occasion, putting a smile on the face of people of all ages."