All creatures great and small – particularly those with four legs – will be celebrated at a special service on Sunday (31), inspired by a Vicar of Dibley episode.

The Rev Simon Carver said that mainly cats and dogs and the odd guinea pig were expected to attend the Dagnall Street Baptist Church service in Upper Dagnall Street, which is being held to “give thanks for the animals which are part of our lives”.

He said: “It’s the first such service I have done, but people have seen something similar in the Vicar of Dibley, and I thought it would be good to gather together people and their pets to give thanks, because they give pleasure to people.”

The “All Creatures Great and Small” service begins at 4pm, and the church’s website has advised attendees to ensure their pet “is kept under control as we wouldn’t want any member of the congregation to be guilty of eating another ‘worshipper!’”