HE may be just a puppet, but John is rapidly becoming a superstar -- in Farnworth.

So much so, that the handy vicar's assistant will be the special VIP guest who will officially open a major winter fair tomorrow.

John is the creation of former schoolteacher Rev Paul Gully, and is in big demand from churches and schools across the Farnworth area.

Rev Gully, team vicar at St James' Church, New Bury, Farnworth, said: "John is wonderful. He has been helping me since I was first ordained six and a half years ago.

"He comes out of a bag and the children always shout hello and say goodbye to him. He's rather like the Sooty character. He whispers to me and only I can understand him."

John is invaluable when it comes to getting across the message of school assemblies and is proving the perfect partner.

Rev Gully, a former secondary school teacher, has been in Bolton for two years and is attempting to strengthen the links between schools and the church.

He said: "John is getting a little worn now and has been in retirement. His twin, James has been doing most of his appearances.

"But on Saturday, John will come out of retirement for his first big appearance. He has never opened a fair before.

"I am sure that he will tell me whatever it is he wants to say at the opening."

Rev Gully said that John "the vicar's assistant" has proved a real hit with the younger primary school children.

He said: "The little ones even talk to the bag that John is kept in! But they sometimes come over after assembly and say to me that they know he's just a puppet, but don't say anything."

John will open the winter fair tomorrow at 11.30am at St James Primary School in Hillside Avenue, Farnworth. Admission is 50p.