THE organiser of this weekend's donkey procession in Malvern's town centre says that proceeds from the event will all go towards a local horse rescue charity.

Rev Val Needham originally planned to maker donations to both the Penny Ha’Penny Horse and Pony Rescue Centre near Malvern and Lucy’s Sanctuary for Holy Land Donkeys.

But the latter, which has benefitted from previous donkey events in Malvern, has recently changed its charitable status to ‘not for profit’ and after taking advice, Rev Needham decided to make the event in aid of the local charity only.

She said: "In order to ensure full compliance with the UK fundraising regulations, any future proposed collections for Lucy’s Sanctuary for Holy Land Donkeys will be considered once they have achieved full UK charitable status."

The event is on Sunday, starting outside the Abbey Hotel, Abbey Road, at noon.