DONKEYS in Scarborough are joining in the Tour de Yorkshire celebrations.

The first stage of the race starts in Bridlington and ends in Scarborough tomorrow, between 4pm and 4.30pm, and the riders will pass a troupe of specially-dressed donkeys as they approach the finish line.

Rachel Phillips, who runs Little Rascals Donkey Rides in the South Bay, has kitted out each of her eight donkeys with a blue saddle square blanket embroidered with the Yorkshire Loves Le Tour logo, and they will also wear festive sun hats throughout the weekend.

She said: “I didn’t see why the donkeys should miss out on all the fun. They all enjoy dressing up, especially William, our ‘diva donkey’ – and if the Tour de Yorkshire isn’t a great opportunity for that, I don’t know when is.”

Janet Deacon, area director for Welcome To Yorkshire, said: “It’s great to see them dressed in the iconic Tour yellow and blue.”