Goats bleated, dogs barked and birds chirped as a priest addressed an unusual multi-species crowd outside St Mark’s church in Rabat.

Children and adults were accompanied by animals of all shapes and sizes, ranging from small tortoises and birds, to larger dogs and horses.

Some animals even dressed up for the special occasion with one small dog wearing a Hello Kitty t-shirt.

Children looked on excitedly while they held their favourite pets, as Fr Manuel Borg Bonello blessed the feathered and four-legged members of the congregation during the annual animal blessing ceremony held to mark the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, yesterday.