AN Olympic torchbearer is taking the starring role in a primary school's Christmas nativity play.

To mark the end of an Olympic year, pupils and staff at Corporation Road Primary School, in Darlington, have produced their own nativity play, called Bethlehem 12.

To help continue the Olympic legacy, torchbearer Paul Donaghy - who carried the London 2012 flame through Darlington in June - donned his kit and carried his flame for one last time to play the star that settles over Bethlehem.

Headteacher Peter King said: "We embraced the Olympics and Paralympics in such a big way and didn't really want 2012 to end.

“As a kind of finale we produced our own nativity, and while it kept close to the original Christmas story, we did include a special guest star.

“Paul Donaghy was the Olympic torchbearer along Northgate back in June and has since become a good friend of our school.

“It was a complete surprise for all the children and staff and proved a fitting end to a brilliant year."