A pair of neglected donkeys rescued from squalid conditions in a smallholding near Carlisle, just days before Christmas, are now thriving.

The Donkey Sanctuary was tipped off about Mary and her daughter Della by a concerned member of the public last year.

Welfare advisers from the charity arrived soon after, and discovered   the donkeys were shut in a filthy stable strewn with faeces and thick mud and they had no access to the fields outside.

Their hooves were extremely overgrown leaving them in pain and their coats were sodden and matted with excrement.

With the support of a vet on site, The Donkey Sanctuary’s team explained their concerns for the donkey’s long-term welfare to their owner, and of the impact his lack of care was having on their wellbeing.

As a result, 17-year-old Mary and Della who was five years old, were officially passed into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary so that the most appropriate decisions could be made for their future.

The donkeys were transported to a holding base and provided with a safe, warm barn for Christmas where they received attention from a specialist vet and farrier to ease their suffering.

Hannah Bryer, head of welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “Mary was in extreme pain.

“Her feet were overgrown and she had chronic changes to the normal structure of one of her hooves.

“This meant she found it incredibly uncomfortable just when standing still and found it very difficult to walk.

“Both Mary and Della needed urgent farrier attention. Their coats were matted and sodden with their own excrement, which required days of grooming, bathing and clipping to address.”

Although the two donkeys had been subjected to severe neglect, both were very accepting of the treatment they received.

Donkey welfare adviser Sally Bamforth said: “I was surprised at how trusting Mary in particular was when we were handling her.

“Despite everything she had been through, she was a pleasure to be around. She was so gentle and she was accepting of everything. It was almost like she knew we were trying to help her.”

Despite the expert attention provided to Mary, the extent of the damage to her feet meant acrylic shoes had to be fitted to help her feel comfortable and balanced on all four feet, and get her to a point where she could walk comfortably.

Sally added: “The severity of Mary’s condition required extensive and ongoing farrier care.

“The shoes have made a significant difference, and the next time I saw her after she had them fitted, she was much happier when walking.

“She had gone from gingerly walking in pain to moving forward much better.”

Hannah  added: “The saddening truth about this case was that Mary’s condition was easily preventable had she received appropriate care.”

Although Mary has responded well and is living a comfortable life, the extent of the damage to her feet means she will not be able to travel to any of the charity’s sanctuary sites.

However, the pair now have a safe and loving home for life at the holding base.

Sally  said: “We have been told by the holding base that their characters are really coming to the fore. Della has transformed into a really inquisitive donkey and Mary has really come out of her shell thanks to the daily attention she receives.

“Both are very friendly donkeys. Their transformation is heart-warming to see.”