A DONKEY from Manley will take a leading role in a film this Palm Sunday.
Lucius the donkey, who takes an active role in church services in Cheshire every year, will be filmed with the actor playing Jesus (Jonathan Sharps) in the forthcoming production of the Chester Mystery Plays.
The film, by The Harlequin Project, at the University of Chester, will form part of the 2013 production at Chester Cathedral in June and July.
Lucius belongs to Meriel and Douglas Cashin, of Manley, who are both also acting in the mystery plays, and the . filming will take place at St John the Evangelist Church in Alvanley.
Rev Richard Tuckwell said: “The service on Sunday is a family communion. We will all meet Lucius, who will be carrying Palm Crosses in his panniers, in the car park of the White Lion pub opposite the church just before 9.30am. He will then walk the long path to our church, when people will help themselves to a Palm Cross before going into the church, where we will bless them.”
Lucius will join the congregation inside the church for the service before heading to Pearl Lane in Littleton, from where he will walk to St James’s Church in Christleton to join their Palm Sunday service at 10.30am.
