BELBROUGHTON'S Animal Sanctuary and Protection has welcomed a new resident - Dotty the donkey.

The seven-month-old animal arrived in Belbroughton last Wednesday (October 5) from Lampeter in Wales.

Animal sanctuary volunteer Gaye Hadley said: "She's absolutely gorgeous; she's a real people donkey and she's got lots of appointments coming in.”

Youngsters from Belbroughton Primary School met Dotty on Monday and she’s already been invited to appear in a church nativity service at Chaddesley Corbett and at Belbroughton’s annual Carols on the Green service on Sunday December 18.

Gaye added: “She's going to be a real star."

Dotty is already proving the perfect pal for existing sanctuary donkey Ken, based at Church Farm, after his long-time companion Wilbur passed away at Easter.

Miniature Shetland ponies Pixie and Dixie, 12-year-old horse Sunny and five-month-old Elfie who was left behind at a horse sale have also recently been taken in by the sanctuary - run by tireless Belbroughton animal lover Anthea Frisby, with help from villagers.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or to sponsor one of the sanctuary’s 30-plus rescue horses, ponies and donkeys can call Gaye Hadley on 01562 730539 or Anthea Frisby on 01562 730261, or send cheques payable to ASAP Belbroughton to Church Farm, Bradford Lane, Belbroughton, DY9 9TF.