'Owning Blackpool donkeys is my dream job'

A man who operates donkey rides on Blackpool beach said he has had a love for the animals since he came to the resort on holiday at the age of six.

Mark Ineson, owner of The Real Donkeys, has just started his 31st season offering rides on Blackpool's Golden Mile and the beach.

He said it had always been his "dream job" as donkeys are so caring and all have their unique character although there are downsides - including the Blackpool weather and endless paperwork.

The traditional donkey rides have now returned to the resort for season, usually between April and October.

Ineson, who is originally from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said he would to spend all his childhood holidays at the resort helping donkey operators "apart from a Friday when I would go to the Pleasure Beach because it was the donkeys' day off".

He said his parents would be forced to pull up deckchairs and sit on the beach for hours while he helped Martin and Norman Patchett, who ran some of the donkey rides in his youth.

He said: "I loved everything about donkeys.

"They're so caring and if you have a bad day a cuddle from them makes it all better."

The 48-year-old added he even likes the smell of their leather harnesses.

The family came twice a year to the resort until Ineson was 18, when he found out there was a pitch and some donkeys up for sale.

He ended up taking the plunge and has never looked back.

"I still love it," he said.

Sadly, Ineson said the custom of donkey rides is waning since he started out, with the Real Donkeys one of three licensed donkey operators on Blackpool beach which has dropped from 18 since he has been in business.

As the season starts in earnest, his donkeys have recently returned from their annual three month holidays where they "chill out" in pairs at farms across the country, before some were recently involved in Palm Sunday services at local churches.

Some of his donkeys have even been involved in weddings which Ineson said was "surreal".

The licensed donkey operator said one of the highlights of his job was seeing the smile the donkeys brought to kids faces.

Blackpool Council has a donkey charter that licensed donkey operators must adhere to which limits the number of hours donkeys can work.

Donkeys must not work on Fridays and those over the age of 16, or who weight more than 8st (51kg) are not permitted to ride.

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