Donkey rides stop as owner quits

Donkeys have been on Margate beach for more than 70 years

Margate is without donkey rides for the first time in living memory.

Thanet District Council is looking for someone to take on the tender to provide the rides after it was given up for personal reasons.

A council spokeswoman said: "We are optimistic the donkeys will be back on the beach before too long.

"We are inviting people to contact us to take over the contract to run the donkey rides, which are part of the beach scene."

'Donkey girl'

The news has a special nostalgic impact for one councillor.

Shirley Tomlinson was a "donkey girl" in 1966-67, when she was paid 2s 6d (12.5p) a week to help with the donkey rides.

Now she is the council's commercial and environmental portfolio holder, responsible, among other subjects, for the beach and its donkeys.

"The donkeys are very important to the town. They have been a part of Margate and a feature on the beach since before the war and it's sad they are not there."