ASHBURTON primary school's Christmas production, The Little Fir Tree, combines the nativity with The Ugly Duckling, which in this case is a fir tree.

Teacher Stephanie Archer said: 'It isn't nice and tall, it doesn't get cut down with the others but gets left all alone in the forest.'

But just as an ugly duckling turns into a swan, the little fir tree grows and becomes a Christmas tree in a children's hospital ward. 'The children have all really enjoyed it, particularly the song in the middle when they are screaming and shouting You are a Special Tree,' she said.