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A donkey ride firm - thought to be Britain's oldest - has hit back at calls to ban them from a seaside resort - saying the animals are happy and well looked after. Campaigners are ­trying to ban the popular rides - saying the seaside tradition is “outdated and cruel” and wants it to end at Weston-super-Mare after 138 years. But a donkey ride company in the Somerset resort has urged protestors to “come down and talk to us if you’ve got concerns” - and the animals are well cared for. A petition - launched on change.org on August 1- has branded the seaside tradition “distressing”. It said: “I am a passionate advocate for animal welfare and deeply distressed by the continued use of donkeys and horses for beach rides in Weston-super-Mare”. The petition currently has over 400 signatures - if it reaches 500, it will be sent to the local council and the Government.