Beach beauties compete for title

Donkeys will be judged on their teeth, hooves and temperament

The hunt is on for a beach beauty with a difference to find the best beach donkey in England and Wales.

The annual event, organised by the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon, aims to award owners for high standards of animal welfare.

The three categories are best individual beach donkey, best group of beach donkeys and best group with the best trimmed feet.

The winners will be announced by the sanctuary next week.

The annual awards were launched in 2003.

Placid nature

National judge and donkey owner Jenifer Tucker will travel the length and breadth of England and Wales, looking for that special "something".

The awards are based on the donkey's welfare and the judge will be checking animals' hooves, teeth and eyes and the condition of their tack.

"Above all, the winner should be gentle and placid in nature as well as enjoy their work," Ms Tucker said.

Last year's individual winner was Denis the donkey, belonging to Mike Thomas from Llanelli, Wales.

John and Michelle Nuttall's donkeys from Skegness won the best group, and Maggie Aldridge's donkeys from Weymouth were judged to have the best feet.

Since the Donkey Sanctuary was founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen in 1969, it has rescued about 13,000 donkeys in the UK and Ireland, with a further 400 being cared for by subsidiary organisations abroad.