'Sheep police' and a lost tooth - behind the scenes of a nativity rehearsal

As the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year - and the festive season brings a key event in the calendar of many parents and teachers.

The school Christmas production.

From traditional nativity plays to festive rock concerts and performances of The Grinch, planning for the performances starts weeks in advance.

There are lines to be practised - both in and out of school - costumes to be sourced and, quite often, songs and dances to be learned too.

Pupils at Burton-on-the-Wolds Primary School, near Loughborough in Leicestershire, have been working on their production of The Fleece Force - a modern twist on the traditional nativity - since mid-November.

In their classroom, the children are warming up before performing a full dress rehearsal in front of the rest of the school.

"We're flying around," a child in an angel costume says excitedly, while another tries to remember who his is character is before announcing "I'm a Roman soldier".

Year 1 teacher Emma Westmoreland rings a bell on her desk to get the children's attention.

She tells the BBC: "We've done singing at every point in the day.

"We've been into the hall a couple of times with Year 2 to practise with them.

"We've also been taking children out to practise dancing in their groups. It's been a lot."

As the children line up ready to troop into the school hall, there are smiles, giggles and tongues being stuck out - lots of nervous excitement.

The production features traditional nativity characters, like kings and angels, and is set in Bethlehem - but a group of "sheep police" are there to keep the peace, and are making sure only those there for the Census are let in.

It is all good fun and, of course, has a happy upbeat ending.

The audience of pupils and teachers gives a big round of applause.

After the dress rehearsal, Arthur, who plays Constable Woolly, says: "At first I was really scared, but I practised and practised and felt more confident."

Fellow pupil Sebe really suffered for his art and leaves the stage showing his gap-toothed smile.

"I pulled my tooth out," he says.

"After I did my dance, I twisted it and it came out."

Ms Westmoreland says the children "were great" during the dress rehearsal and are "more than ready" for the real thing.

"They love doing it and it's a really special part of Christmas," she adds.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.