TWO popular staff members have retired from a North East visitor attraction after more than 20 years of doing the donkey work.

Donkeys Freda and Esmeralda have for many years been fixtures at the National Trust’s Cherryburn property in the Tyne Valley in Northumberland, which was the birthplace of celebrated engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick.

But as the couple, who came from a donkey sanctuary in Devon, are now nearly 25 years old the trust has decided they need specialist care.

Now they will be spending their retirement at a donkey retreat on a farm near Hexham.

Growing up at the Cherryburn farmstead in the 18th Century inspired Bewick to engrave his scenes from nature and rural life.

The National Trust has always been keen to recreate the country landscape he would have known and the donkeys played a key role in this, along with resident hens and sheep. “The donkeys have been incredibly popular with visitors and we value everything they have done for Cherryburn,” said Emily Bryce, visitor experience manager.

“They have their own characters and quirks which were well known to the volunteers who looked after them.”

Mick Wilkes, Cherryburn property manager, said: “We are all going to miss Freda and Esmeralda who have been a popular attraction at Cherryburn for many years, but in discussions with the donkey sanctuary, we feel that they can receive more expert care at their new home in Hexham.”

The donkeys’ departure leaves South American alpacas as the main livestock attraction at Cherryburn. Bewick engraved donkeys – but certainly not alpacas, though his 1790 book A General History of Quadrupeds did feature animals from around the world.

“Thomas Bewick was interested in nature in its widest sense and would have been very curious and amused about alpacas,” said Emily.

“He did cover a fascinating variety of then exotic animals in his Quadrupeds book.”