A CENTURY-OLD figure of the Baby Jesus has vanished from Hexham Abbey’s traditional Nativity display – and Abbey staff are now holding out an olive branch for his return.

The famous Nativity has been on open display to the public every Christmas for at least 100 years and stays on show until the Abbey’s Candlemas Service, which this year is on February 2.

But now Jesus has mysteriously disappeared from under the watchful gaze of Mary, Joseph and the Three Wise Men – and no one knows where he has gone.

It is suspected the ancient clay figure has been taken by a more-than-curious Abbey visitor, and now the culprit is being asked to return Jesus – secretly, if necessary.

In the best Christian tradition, Abbey staff say they are prepared to forgive whoever has taken the figure.

The Rev Joanna Anderson, Hexham Abbey Associate Priest, said: “We discovered suddenly one morning that the Baby Jesus had disappeared from the Nativity. One of the vergers made the discovery.

“Jesus was in a beautiful large crib in the Nativity that has been on display to the public every Christmas in at least the last 100 years, and is a traditional attraction for the public.

“We have Candlemas on Wednesday and would very much like to have Jesus back by then. If someone would quietly return him to his rightful place over the weekend, then we would be able to leave it at that.”

The Nativity went on show on Christmas Eve for the Epiphany and Christmas celebrations and, as always, became a centrepiece in the heart of the abbey.

None of the other figures, including Mary, Joseph and the Three Wise Men, were touched but the crib now lies empty.

“Over the years the Baby Jesus has suffered breakages – there have been a lot of broken limbs that have always been repaired,” added Ms Anderson.

“But he has never gone missing before and now we are not sure where he has gone. However, we would very much like to have him back where he belongs in time for Candlemas.”