Donkeys on Weston-super- Mare beach have been voted as the nation's best seaside attraction.

The annual competition recognises coastal businesses across the country and gives awards in various categories.

These include Best British Beach, Best All Round Seaside Destination, Best Shoreline B&B, Best Seaside Landmark Building and Best Coastal Pub or Restaurant.

Weston's donkeys, owned by Ron Mager and Sons, were voted Best Seaside Attraction in the 2009 Coast Awards.

The Mager family have been giving children rides on donkeys along Weston beach for more than 100 years with four generations still involved in the business.

Ron, who is the senior member of the family, has held a licence for donkey rides on the sandy shores of the resort, since the Forties.

As well as the donkeys, the family also run horse and cart rides, several seaside stalls and shops, a bouncy castle, roundabouts and swing boats.

Kevin Mager says the family continue to offer such traditional seaside attractions as they are as popular as ever.

He said: "We were down to the last 10 in the Coast Awards. Then we heard that we had won the category for best attraction.

"My family go back to 1886 working down here on the beach so it was nice to win something and win it for Weston as well.

"My Dad Ron has been here since I was a kid and he is 83 years old now and is still down here working.

"It is a long time to be involved in something and to be so involved with tourism in Weston-super-Mare. We still have four generations of our family working out here now and I hope our future generations will continue the business."

The donkeys are mostly home-bred ensuring that their gentle temperament and good conformation are passed down through the generations.

Occasionally, some are bought or rescued from elsewhere, and retrained to give rides, which they usually take to well.