DONKEY rides have returned to Weymouth beach for the first time in five years.

Dozens of children enjoyed trips across the golden sands during the weekend and a few were even turned away because only four of operator Margaret Aldridge's six-strong herd were working.

She said the animals will be carrying youngsters along the beach nearly every day until September.

Mrs Aldridge said: "Lots of children had rides at the weekend. We only had four donkeys out, as the other two will not be ready for another couple of weeks.

"We had to turn a few people away because the donkeys need their rest periods. It takes them a little while to get used to the job but they are doing fine and we are all learning. We plan to run the rides every day except Mondays, weather permitting. But, saying that, we might come out on a Monday if the weekend has been quiet."

It has taken Mrs Aldridge, a former nurse, 18 months to get the trips up and running.

Donkeys were one of the resort's most popular attractions for more than a century until operator John Downton retired in 2000.