Officials from Guinness World Records monitored the event with organisers hoping the Maine Road event would also be the world's biggest-ever carol concert.

In an unusual twist to the Christmas story, the wise men were not going to visit a newborn boy in the stable, but an 11-day old baby girl instead.

Despite repeated media appeals, organisers were unable to find a newborn baby boy to play the part of Jesus.

'No problem'

Ines Maria, daughter to Clare Garcia, was born on 27 November in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester.

But when Mrs Garcia and husband Amado heard of the appeal, they immediately contacted their parish priest offering their new-born daughter for the role.

Organisers said the festive twist was "not a problem".

Andrew Graystone said: "The Christmas story is an inclusive one - for all races, ages and genders."

Among those who passed through the turnstiles were a 3,000-member choir, Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, and TV presenter Diane Louise Jordan.