THE clatter of hooves will be sounding out again in Malvern, when the annual May Day donkey procession returns to delight passers-by and help a leading animal charity.

The event has over the last few years become a much-loved part of the town's calendar, along with its winter counterpart held just before Christmas.

The procession is the brainchild of Rev Val Needham, who uses it to raise money for Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land, a charity which runs sanctuaries and provides veterinary and animal husbandry services on both sides of the Israel-Palestine border.

She said: "Donkeys played a key role in Malvern’s heyday as a Victorian spa town and resort. They carried invalids up to take the waters at the various healing springs on the hillsides, and tourists to picnic and enjoy the views.

"The May Day Procession celebrates the role of donkeys in Malvern by bringing them back to the town, and as a reminder of the donkey women and donkey boys who looked after the animals, the procession is led by a local boy in Victorian dress riding a donkey."

The event is on Sunday, May 3, with donkeys from several local sanctuaries gathering at the Priory Gatehouse from 10.30am.

There will be plenty of time to meet them before the procession starts at 11am, visiting the main spouts in the town centre before reaching St Ann’s Well at around 12.30pm.

Following a lunch laid on by cafe proprietor John Redman, festivities will resume at 2pm with a blessing of the waters ceremony, when members of the public will be able to float a candle in the pool outside the well in memory of loved ones and there will be a blessing of people and pets. Local children will also perform a ballet devised by Ms Needham, inspired by The Vision of Piers Plowman by William Langland, and music will be supplied by Hennesea.

This year Ms Needham has come to an arrangement with Malvern Hills Conservators to allow a special minibus service for those who cannot manage the steep walk up to St Ann’s Well.

The minibus will be leaving the car park behind the Unicorn at 12.15pm and 12.45pm, returning at 3.25pm and 3.50pm.

She d said: "I'm very grateful to Steve Bound, the Conservators' director, for allowing us to run this service."