BRAY-CE yourselves -- donkey "Oscars" are coming to Blackpool!

The town's best kept donkeys are to be honoured with special awards designed to recognise how well the animals are cared for.

According to Town hall chiefs, the award scheme will include the monthly presentation of rosettes plus an end-of-year "Oscars-style" award ceremony with a trophy for the overall winner.

The awards are the result of a partnership between Blackpool Borough Council and Devon-based welfare organisation, The Donkey Sanctuary.

The sanctuary's area welfare officer, Pam Moon, will join a council official and an RSPCA representative for impromptu judging sessions.

Marks will be given for the donkeys' physical condition, their appearance including quality of their tack, cleanliness of the pitch they use, smartness of the drivers and the quality of customer care.

Councillor Roy Lewis, executive member for tourism, said: "Blackpool is famous for its donkeys and they make an important contribution to our tourism industry.

"We already have a unique system of ensuring the welfare of donkeys under our local Donkey Charter. Now we'll have a scheme to recognise and applaud the good care donkey operators take to look after their animals and preserve one of the town's great traditions."

The first rosette will be presented at the end of this month to the winner of the best string of donkeys, with more rosettes to follow in September and the full ceremony in October.