A DONKEY has gone missing and youngsters are appealing for him to be returned.

Rooney, one of thirteen toy animals hiding around Penketh waiting to be found by children on the Methodist Church’s Nativity Trail, was last spotted at the Honiton Way Spar store on Tuesday but cunning donkey rustlers managed to dodge the shop’s CCTV.

The trail is organised in partnership with businesses in the community including the Olive Tree Community Centre, the Co-op, Penketh Pool and the Shannon Bradshaw Café.

Little pilgrims visit as many of the neighbourhood sites as possible in search of donkeys, record the animal’s name and location, then join the Christmas Eve service at 4pm at Penketh Methodist Church to claim their hard-earned reward.

If you have seen Rooney the donkey, please tell staff at the Spar or call the church on 729895.