FIGURES from Malmesbury’s history feature heavily in a nativity play at the abbey this weekend.

It is the second year the play has been performed and it is already proving so popular an extra third show is being staged on Christmas Eve.

Rev Neill Archer explained: "Last year we wanted a new mix - carols that had a live band and nodded in the direction of the contemporary folk rock, actors who were trained actors not vicars pretending, a set that brought everybody close to the action rather than have people 20 rows back straining to see and something really 'Malmesbury', not a generic Christmas play."

Acted out by drama student, the story involves St Aldhelm, Hannah Twynnoy, William of Malmesbury and Eilmer the Flying Monk putting on their own nativity play for the town.

Performances are at 4pm and 7pm on Saturday, 4pm on Sunday and 2pm on Tuesday. Later shows have sold out. Tickets cost £2 for adults and are free for children who are encouraged to turn up dressed as traditional nativity characters.