Most nativity plays usually feature the local Sunday school, but this year a Church of Scotland minister and a Roman Catholic priest have enlisted the help of police officers, fire fighters, council leaders and even the Kilmarnock football team.

As Egypt approaches the anniversary of the overthrow of former president Mubarak, the country still finds itself torn by sectarian violence.

Scottish Tory justice spokesperson John Lamont says the west of Scotland school system contributes to the "conditioning of sectarian attitudes".

The Kirk Moderator has warned the Scottish Parliament about the dangers of pushing through an over-hasty bill to deal with the problem of sectarianism.