A NATIVITY play staged in a South Lakeland parish is due to be performed for the 100th successive year.

Preston Patrick Patrick Church first hosted 'Bethlehem Scenes' in 1918, and this Sunday (Dec 17) will mark the centenary performance.

It was first produced by Freda Weston, daughter of the then Westmorland MP Sir John Weston. She took on that role until its 50th running, when existing producer Berthe Hayhurst took over.

Ms Hayhurst, who is stepping down from the position following this weekend's Bethlehem Scenes, also played the role of Angel Gabriel for 25 years.

The scenes are enacted in mime, with six readers telling the nativity story and the congregation joining in with carol singing throughout.

"We've never missed a performance in 100 years, it's our local Oberammergau," said Ms Hayhurst.

"Sometimes we get more than 30 people taking part when we've had more shepherds and sheep, and it is looked forward to every year by everybody.

"It is performed in the church as it was 100 years ago and it has not changed because the story doesn't change.

"We get a jolly good collection from the congregation and the money goes to one of the church's charities."

Miss Hayhurst said Bethlehem Scenes has survived in the parish because it has become engrained in local tradition, and the manner of the performance means it is easy for people to take part.

"There's no speaking parts for the players," she said. "The story is told at intervals by readers and it encourages the older members to take part without having to learn any lines – the children don't have to learn anything either.

"If you get a part and you can do it, you are called back to do it next year and the following year, so there are a lot of people that have been in it for years."

This year's Bethlehem Scenes production begins at Preston Patrick Church at 10am.