Animals to fill Worcester Cathedral for annual pet blessing service
A variety of animals will be involved in the event at the cathedral today (22 August)
Animals are set to take over Worcester Cathedral today (22 August) for an event designed to celebrate them.
The cathedral's annual pet blessing service is being held which has seen the likes of fish, goats and stick insects attend in the past.
It's also going to honour service animals and is being led by Canon Kimberly Bohan who said it's always a great occasion.
"The pet blessing is a service that people just love and it happens here and in lots of churches and cathedrals around the country," she said.
"It is just what it says on the tin, people bring their pets or whatever animals they have that may wish to come into the cathedral that will feel safe coming, and it is a time for giving thanks to the animals that share our lives."
Additional seating is being made available for human worshippers along with an area being created for smaller animals as part of it all.
On some of the animals they've seen over the years, Bohan said: "Mostly it's dogs who come because dogs are easy to bring.
"So there will be dogs, cats, we've had fish, we've had insects, we've had hamsters, the occasional snake turns up well caged, we've had sheep and goats and the occasional llama."
She also reminded owners to check their animals were ok with being in such settings before coming as they didn't want them to be in "deep distress" because of it.
The service is scheduled to start at 11am.