AN OXFORD vicar who says our pets “make us more human” has invited parishioners to bring them to church.

The Rev Andrew Bunch is inviting worshippers to take dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and lizards to an “animal celebration service” at St Giles’ Church next week.

The service, from 3pm to 4pm on Sunday, October 4, will involve songs, readings and prayers. Then some of the congregation will act out a story from the Bible – possibly involving animals.

Mr Bunch, who often takes his Irish Setter Thea to church, said: “They’re God’s creations, so why not accept they add to our lives and encourage us to be human?

“Often our animals are very good at telling us things, but we’re sometimes rather deaf to what they are.

“I know my dog is a good assessor of characters who visit me at home. She’ll warn me about some when they approach, but she can be very welcoming, and she is fairly good at getting it right.”

Mr Bunch has been running animal celebration services at St Giles Church, at the intersection of St Giles with Woodstock and Banbury Roads, since 2010.

Over the past five years people have brought dogs, guinea pigs, budgies and even stick insects.

He said he might draw the line at a llama, if only for space reasons.

Mr Bunch said: “Being a dog lover myself and having had one for many years I know animals are a very important part of our lives and this service is about saying thanks for that.

“We held the first one five years ago. It’s been a fairly small service since then but it’s been appreciated.”

Families without pets are invited to bring toys or pictures of an animal close to their hearts. Non-regulars are welcome.

A Roman Catholic church in Wantage is holding an animal blessing service on the same day at the same time with a donkey. St John Vianney Church in Charlton Road has been holding its blessing service to mark the Feast of St Francis of Assisi for years.

All are welcome to teas, dog biscuits and carrots afterwards in the church hall.