IT was an unusual nativity scene.

Mary and Joseph laid the baby Jesus down in front of a stack of 24-packs of lager, while the Three Kings watched from aisle one.

The children sang their hearts out, with only the occasional interruption from customer service announcements.

Youngsters from St Peter and St Paul’s Primary School in Pilkington Street, Bolton, performed the nativity play inside Sainsbury’s on Thursday, taking the Christmas message to shoppers in Bolton.

Curious punters seemed unsure how to react. Many of them continued with their shopping, while others stopped to watch — and some even put down their baskets while they sang along and danced with the children.

Headteacher Philomena Tarkowski said the school was asked to perform in the store by Sainsbury’s.

She said: “We’ve got a very good relationship with Sainsbury’s, and the supermarket is very supportive of our school.

“They said they would like their customers to hear the Christmas story through the eyes of our children.

“The children were very excited.

“ It’s a very busy time of the year and there are lots of preparations in school for our nativity next week.

“They’re very happy to come, and they had a lovely morning.”

The performance was particularly poignant for dad Kevin Banks, the landlord of the nearby Sweet Green Tavern, who was moved to tears as his two daughters, Kate and Molly, sang Away in a Manger.

He said: “My wife Tracy died 18 months ago, and that was her favourite song. I couldn’t take my eyes off them as they were singing, and I just started crying.

“I think it was absolutely marvellous bringing the story to the people and singing it in the aisles.

“I think all of the people enjoyed it, especially in these days of commercialism when we’re losing the ethos of what Christmas is all about.

“Putting on a nativity play in their local supermarket and celebrating Christmas like this is a fantastic idea.”

The children, aged seven to ten, were divided into a choir and costumed performers in the traditional nativity roles just inside the store entrance.

They finished their performance with a rendition of Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody, which had young and old dancing and tapping their feet. The school’s normal nativity play takes place next Tuesday afternoon and evening at the school.