A HEALTHY lifestyle is the secret to a long, happy life for one popular donkey.

Rosie, who lives at Shortwood Farm in Pencombe, near Bromyard, celebrated her 40th birthday on Bank Holiday Monday.

A party was held at the farm where free cake and ice cream were served, and there was a special helping of carrot cake for Rosie.

Shortwood Farm owner, Janet Legge, said: "We don't know exactly which date she was born so we thought we would make August 31 her official birthday.

"Rosie came to live at Shortwood twenty four years ago when she was 16.

"Over the years she has been loved and petted by thousands of visitors to the farm.

"She has become so much part of the farm's activities that now she waits patiently each morning and afternoon to do her bit in entertaining visitors on the farm tours.

"As soon as she sees the people coming she comes trotting towards them and puts her head over the fence inviting them to stroke her. In her old age the more she is stroked the more relaxed she becomes, so much so that her bottom lip starts to tremble and then she starts to dribble.

"She has been such a great friend to us and loved by so many people over the years."