LAST week’s Nativity performance in Stocksfield raised a record-breaking amount for children in need across the world.

Families flocked to the famous live Nativity shows at Wheelbirks last week.

Over 300 audience members attended the five live performances, raising £2,719 – the most ever raised at the events.

For each performance, staff dressed up and took to the farmyard to act out the traditional story.

The audience was led around the farmyard as the story unfolded, coming to the stable for the Nativity scene.

This year, proceeds will go to Zambia where it will give vulnerable children a much needed head-start.

Playing Joseph in the famous tale this year was former Queen Elizabeth High School student, Ollie Allcock. Before beginning his degree course in engineering at Glasgow University, Ollie spent a year teaching at the Mambwe Secondary Boarding School in Zambia.

The school is one of many supported by Project Luangwa, which sponsors children to complete their education.

At the end of the nativity performances, Ollie gave a talk on his work in the Luangwa Valley, which has been devastated by malaria and HIV. He explained that it costs just £50 to put a child through primary school for a year and £150 for secondary school.

Lucinda Richardson of Wheelbirks said: “The whole cast, and everyone who has contributed this year has been incredible, every performance was amazing. We’re so excited by how many children we can now help with the money raised; it’s a wonderful feeling.”