IF YOU think days are numbered for the classic Christmas song 'Little Donkey' one Hampshire head teacher has taken matters into her own hands.

Shamblehurst Primary School head teacher and pop superfan Anna Jones and her staff have adapted the words to songs by top pop band Take That to tell the nativity story.

But as well as a way to get the older children at the Wildern Lane school excited about the birth of Jesus they are also hoping their show will entice Gary Barlow, Howard Donald or Mark Owen to come and see it.

Called 'The Greatest Day' the show includes nine Take That songs with adapted lyrics that tell the story of Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem.

The Angel Gabriel tells Mary and Joseph they will have a child - to the tune of 'Shine' - while a sassy inn-keeper invites the couple to ‘please use my stable’ to the tune of 'Relight My Fire', complete with a chorus of angel rappers dancing out Lulu’s famous middle eight.

And the heart-wrenching words of 'A Million Love Songs' have been changed to celebrate the arrival of the baby Jesus.

But Ms Jones insists it’s not a “panto” version of the Christmas story - just a light-hearted way to keep the children interested and each song is accompanied by a Bible reading.

She said: “They are really motivated by it - and when Howard retweeted us it was a frenzy! We’ve even put on an extra night to give them the chance to come. Howard only lives in the New Forest so it wouldn’t be too far to come.”

But if the band did actually turn up superfan Ms Jones added she wouldn’t quite know what to do. She said: “We really would be overwhelmed if Gary and the boys came to see our nativity. The children have put their hearts and souls into this performance - they are buzzing with excitement and are very proud of their achievements - as are we.”

“We hope our parents and audience really enjoy the show, along with the three other nativities that are happening at Shamblehurst over the festive period.

“Our original video has been viewed 12,091 times. Howard from Take That has re-tweeted, as well as the lead from The Band and ex-Coronation Street actress Tupele Dorgu.

“Schools up and down the country have asked for our script.”

The performances take place on December 18, 19 and 20 for parents and family.