BABY Jesus has swapped a cold, draughty stable for the more plush surroundings of a Bolton luxury car showroom.

A new £5,000 nativity display at the Ian Antony BMW garage on Bradshawgate is catching the attention of passing motorists and pedestrians.

It is the first time that the clinical surroundings of the showroom have played host to the humble Christmas scene.

The move comes after the dealership was bought by the Williams company last month.

Company owner Margaret Orton Williams is a devout Roman Catholic and for the last 40 years the company has had large nativity displays at its showrooms in Manchester and Liverpool.

Mrs Williams was determined that the Bolton showroom would follow suit so she commissioned a Liverpool firm to make 3ft-high figures for a prominent spot in the window at the Trinity Street end of the building.

The 15ft-long display also features Christmas trees, and carols are played over the dealership's sound system.

Tom Barton, new car sales manager at Ian Antony, admitted that the new display came as quite a culture shock for staff.

"We had to move four cars out of the way to give it space. But it is intended to show the true meaning of Christmas," he said

Since the nativity scene was put up, passers-by have been coming into the showroom just to take a closer look.

"I am not particularly religious but we had one old lady come in who was in tears because it meant so much to her," said Mr Barton.

Mrs Williams has been to personally examine the display and gave instructions for the Christmas carols to be played louder.