WEYMOUTH’S beach donkey ride attraction has won two top tourism awards because the animals are ‘well cared for’.

This week officers from the international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary presented the top regional award to attraction owner Melanie Rush of West Hill Donkeys.

Mrs Rush, who offers donkey rides on Weymouth Beach, was awarded the title of Best Group 2011 (South and South East England) by the charity as part of their Working Donkey Awards scheme.

It recognises owners achieving good standards of welfare for their donkeys in individual regions of the UK. Local farrier Colin Deeney also helped them scoop the award for the region’s Best Trimmed Feet.

The Weymouth attraction has been awarded this accolade every year since 2005. Mark Kerr, the sanctuary’s regional welfare officer said: “Melanie’s donkeys provide traditional donkey rides on Weymouth beach, are very well cared for and have lovely, friendly natures.

“We feel they deserve the accolade of Best Group in the South and South East England region due to the high standards of care that Melanie provides – they tick every box for us.”

Mrs Rush bought the business from Maggie Aldridge in March and said she has had a ‘brilliant summer’ and thanks all her local supporters.

She said: “It’s great to be awarded this because I know I look after the donkeys well and it’s nice that someone else recognises that and also for members of the public to know that.

“It’s been a great summer – much better than I expected and hopefully things will keep going that way.”

The 11 donkeys have been ridden by hundreds of children and holidaymakers this year for the price of £3 and Mrs Rush hopes to keep running all this week until the end of half term.

Then the donkeys will be looked after for the winter in the sanctuary and maybe brought out for the winter weekends.

Mrs Rush added: “I think the donkeys are very important to Weymouth beach because so many people travel here specifically to ride the donkeys – it’s tradition.”