Pagan prisoners will be allowed four days off work next year for festivals which celebrate lactating sheep and promiscuity.

The Prison Service will allow inmates who follow the religion to choose four days from the eight recognised Pagan holidays when they must be excused from work.

Arrangements could also be made for inmates to be served traditional food, which includes roast boar and non-alcoholic honey mead. The prison instruction, Religious Festival Dates for 2011, includes similar provisions for those who follow other religions, including Christians, Muslims and Buddhists.