THE HUNT is on to find a baby Jesus.

The Lewes Passion Play are short of a key character for their Christmas nativity.

Male, female or even plastic, the organisers of the production are not too fussy about who plays the vital role of the Saviour in the Christmas story.

In an appeal to supporters they said: "Should anyone know of a baby available to play the part of Jesus - needed for about 15 minutes - please get in touch ASAP. (Girl or boy baby equally acceptable.)

They added: "Loan of a life size baby doll would also be welcomed."

Last Easter the Lewes Passion Play also faced difficulties casting their production.

One of their donkeys fell pregnant and another was too old so the curtain call looked set to be in disarray when they were also struggling to find a Jesus.

Luckily Dan Silve was poached from the rival Brighton passion production staged by Soul by the Sea.

The nativity will be performed during a late night Christmas shopping evening in Lewes on Thursday, December 3.

The Christmas Story will be enacted at 7pm and 7.45pm at the rear yard of Giles Leisure, North Court, off Harvey's Way - running parallel with Cliffe High Street.

Children are being invited to dress up as their favourite nativity character and pose in the stable with members of the cast.

Brighton's first passion play in 2011 sparked outrage from some members of the community about the graphic scenes.

In 2013 a bearded-lady was attacked by a member of the audience while crucifying Jesus.

Jeanie Civil was playing Joseph Caiaphas when a member of the 1,000-strong audience ripped her beard from her face and punched her during a performance of The Passion of Christ in Brighton on Easter Sunday.

He yelled “Shame on you!” before Mrs Civil’s fellow cast members, dressed as soldiers, held him back, until he was bundled into a police car.

For more information about the nativity performance - or to offer your child as Jesus visit http://lewespassionplay.org