THIS year’s celebration of the harvest festival at Mary’s Church, Bramshott, included for the first time a large variety of domestic pets, brought along by members of the congregation.

The service was held by Reverend Valentine Inglis-Jones, accompanied by his spaniel Monte and lurcher Margot and minister Tony Halsey with his black Labrador Jasper.

Other pets included Larson, a Pyrenean mountain dog, Ruben a springer spaniel, Matt a cocker spaniel, Bentley the beagle and Misty the dachshund, spaniels Margot and Monty, terrier Gertie, tortoises Apollo and sesio trot, Bubbles the hamster, Mary and Alfie, both Labradors, Boris a shih tzu terrier, a guinea pig named Ginger Rogers, Marconi the goldfish, two baby grass snakes called Houdini, as well as garden snails and caterpillars.

Churchgoing regulars, rescue donkeys Maisie and Florence, joined the congregation for the blessing of the animals and led the procession up the aisle.

The Vicar of Dibley-style service was inspired by Valentine’s dog Monty, which recently had a near fatal accident while out for a walk.

Valentine said: “Our pets mean so much to us and they are such a major part in our families. At a time when many of us are looking out at the horror unfolding in Iraq and Syria, and just trying to work out what we can do, its good to be thankful for all that we have, and our pets are probably one of the most powerful symbols of the goodness of this incredible creation, and all it means to us.”

Donations went toward a collection for refugees from Syria and anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so at the Church Centre, off Portsmouth Road, in Liphook.