Pupils were braying with excitement as they welcomed two donkeys into school.

All 263 pupils at Welldon Park Infant and Junior School, in Kingsley Road, joined staff from the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon to take part in a donkey assisted therapy workshop.

Two donkeys from the sanctuary, called Pharaoh and Boyo, visited the school for a workshop last week.

Louise Bloomfield, assistant headteacher for inclusion, said: “We chose to take part in the programme as we thought it would be a fantastic enrichment opportunity.

“It was a brilliant opportunity to give the children an experience that some have never had the chance to have before.”

After meeting the donkeys and learning how to groom them, 20 pupils were selected to take part in a 15-minute riding session.

The students were shown how to balance and steer using the reins and also completed an obstacle course, which involved stretching and reaching while using their legs to balance on the saddle.

One of the children said: “It was fun to ride the donkeys and I liked the obstacle course".

Miss Bloomfield added: “The children are now writing about their very special experience riding a donkey and we hope to collate their writing and photos into a school book.

“We are all looking forward to the next visit on July 1.”