Most people celebrate Easter with a hot cross bun or two and a few chocolate eggs.

But not the good people of Moulsecoomb who every year go the whole hog and crucify a Jesus Christ lookalike as part of their annual service.

When asked what he expected to happen before he carried his large wooden cross down from St Andrews Church to The Avenue, where he was officially "nailed on", 18-year-old John Lewry said: "I don't know, I've never been crucified before."

Around 100 people gathered at midday on the green at the bottom of The Avenue, at the junction with Lewes Road, for the service and re-enactment of Jesus' death which is held every year by the congregations of three churches in Moulsecoomb.

Every year a teenager is plucked from within the 1000 strong congregations of St Andrew's, St Francis' and St Mary Magdalen's churches to play Jesus and after two years of the position being filled by Liam Williams, who has now gone off to university, Mr Lewry picked up the baton.

He is not actually nailed to the cross, but rather lightly attached to it with ropes.

The 18-year-old said: "It passed to me because I'm the next in line really - I'm the next oldest out of the young ones.

"I haven't really prepared too much, there's not much to do other than get my robes on and the crown of thorns," pointing to a real barbed wire ring which was to be placed around his neck.

He added: "If it cuts me it will just add a bit of realism to the whole thing."

Father John Wall, the Ray Ban wearing reverend at St Andrew's Church, organised and led this year's service and joined the small procession of around ten people the short distance from his church to the green.

He said: "It is a traditional thing we have done for quite a few years now and it usually attracts a large crowd. Plus a bit of attention from passers-by."

After a short hymn sung by those who had gathered, Father Wall urged the congregations to rigorously play the part of "the crowd" in the reading from the Gospel according to Mark in which Jesus is condemned by Pilate.

When the crowd only meekly shouted out their lines "Crucify Him!", aimed at Jesus, the reverend roared "If you don't do it loudly enough I'll make you do it again."

Suitably placated, the 100 or so on-lookers chanted their lines with far more vigour as a rather nervous looking Mr Lewry looked slightly bemused from his cross.

After several more hymns and prayers the congregation retired to St Andrews for a cup of tea before holding a "Lord's Passion" service at 2pm.

Another Easter service is being held in Moulsecoomb on April 8. The parish Eucharist starts at 10am and includes a blessing of Easter eggs.