A vicar is desperate to find a real donkey to lead his Palm Sunday parade or his daughter may have to don a pantomime costume again.

Honey the donkey led the annual procession at St John the Evangelist Church in Copthorne, near Crawley, for at least seven years.

But she died last summer and the church has failed to find a replacement.

The Reverend Alastair Cutting has threatened they may have to reuse Rover the donkey, which appeared in the church's recent pantomime A Lad In A Manger.

Inside Rover's costume were Mr Cutting's daughter Laura and her friend Katie Carroll, both ten.

Mr Cutting, of Church Road, Copthorne, said: "It probably would not be too seemly to have a Palm Sunday procession led by a pantomime donkey.

"Hopefully someone will come forward with a real one."

A donkey-led procession around the village of Copthorne has been a Palm Sunday tradition for years.

The parade also features music played by the Copthorne Silver Band.

Honey was owned by Worth parish councillor Georgie Worsley.

Mr Cutting said Honey, who died of old age, had taken part in all Palm Sunday parades since he arrived at the church eight years ago.

Anyone who can offer a real replacement donkey should call Mr Cutting on 01342 712063.