Nativity camel cost 'good value'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/8470015.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Spending £2,700 on camels for a living nativity was "good value for money", a Staffordshire council has said.

Despite some criticism Leek council said thousands of people watched last month's event which included three camels, sheep, a donkey and a baby.

Councillor Steve Povey said it brought people together and created a "feel good factor" but understood why some people may have "taken the hump".

He said the camels were hired at a cost of about 3p per person in the town.

He said the event was staged two years ago, before the recession hit, but there was a poor turn out due to heavy rain so the council decided to re-run it.

'Magical time'

Mr Povey said the council was aware of some complaints about the cost of the event, given the recession, and had been surprised the camel hiring fee had risen by £700 in one year due to the increasing popularity of holding living nativities.

But he said it was worth the money for the smiles it put on people's faces.

He said: "Christmas is a magical time of year. In Leek we try to work with all the community. Churches Together wanted to do something and it is rather a special event that brings thousands of people out. It isn't just about the camels, it's the whole picture."

"We'd be accused of not doing anything if we didn't do these things," he added.

The event is not due to be held in Leek again.