Del Boy voted best British donkey

Del Boy on the beach at Aberdyfi with Louise Peters

A donkey based on a Gwynedd beach has been voted the best in Britain in annual awards.

Eleven-year-old Del Boy, described as "Laid back " with a "fab temperament" has given children rides along Aberdyfi beach for the past three years.

Owner Louise Peters said she bought him because he was the "typical donkey a child would imagine".

The Devon-based Donkey Sanctuary named last year's winner, Dennis from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, runner up.

Ms Peters said she bought Del Boy because he was the classic donkey.

"He is so laid back, and has a fab temperament," she said.

To be honest, he just wowed me completely. Jenifer Tucker, ,The Donkey Sanctuary

Donkeys live to between 35-40 years so Del Boy is a relative youngster at 11.

"All things being well I hope he can keep working until he's into his 20s," Ms Peters added.

Working with Del Boy - and the others which make up the six-donkey group at Aberdyfi - is a dream come true for Ms Peters.

"Twenty years ago I saw a man working with donkeys on a beach and thought that's the job I want to do.

"Then when I moved to Wales the opportunity became available because there were no donkeys on Aberdyfi beach, and it's gone from strength to strength."

Ms Peters said it was the "greatest job in the world", despite the weather.

"I'm a horsewoman through and through, but that is my hobby, so working with donkeys is second nature, it is absolutely fantastic.

"There's nothing better than seeing kids go up to these massive animals, because a donkey is massive for a child, and to ride them.

'High standards'

"The pleasure the children get is fantastic."

The annual best beach donkey competition was established by the Donkey Sanctuary in 2003, aimed at recognising high standards of animal welfare practice by selecting the best donkeys and their owners at regional and national levels.

Jenifer Tucker from The Donkey Sanctuary said: "I chose Del Boy as the overall winner of the best individual donkey because, to be honest, he just wowed me completely.

"He's very handsome and has a lovely big head with very long ears. Del Boy is a gentle giant, and clearly a favourite," she added.