Outrage as Skegness donkey owner insists on weighing children before rides

A conflict has emerged on the Skegness seafront after the owner of beach donkeys insisted that children must be weighed prior to having a ride. John Nuttall has provoked outrage at the move.

Mr Nuttall, who, along with his family, boasts a century's worth of history in providing the seaside tradition, said that he will now weigh certain youngsters wanting to ride donkeys. Anyone who appears to weigh over six stone (38kg) would be among those needing to weigh in before their joyride, reports the Express.

His reasoning is based on the logic that "some are just too big to ride a donkey". He said: "My donkeys work hard enough for me. The welfare of the animals has to come first."

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However, Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, has accused Mr Nuttal's idea of being "completely unacceptable to weigh a child in public and then say they can't go on a ride". John has defended the move though which will apply to his donkeys at Skegness and Cleethorpes.

He told the BBC: "Years ago you never had that. Kids were fit and healthy. If a child, due to their size, cannot keep their balance, there is a danger they could slip off the saddle, injuring themselves and the donkey."

Alongside the weighing, Mr Nuttall said that his donkeys should only be ridden by people below 4ft 7ins (1.4m) in height and aged 10 or younger. However, the move has reportedly "disappointed" many holidaymakers, but Mr Nuttall said many understood his reasons.

He said: "People are understanding. Ultimately, it's about the welfare of the donkeys. The days of donkeys going up and down a beach with an adult on its back are long gone."

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