Donkeys Esther and Moses welcomed guests to a special service at Norwich Cathedral marking the 30th anniversary of Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Norwich Evening News: Donkeys Esther, left, and Moses at Norwich Cathedral before the service to mark Redwings' 30th anniversary. With them from left, Nicola Jarvis, front, senior veterinary surgeon; Stacey Harvey, external relations; Helen Greenhill, groom; and Peter Horrocks, trustee. Picture: Denise BradleyDonkeys Esther, left, and Moses at Norwich Cathedral before the service to mark Redwings' 30th anniversary. With them from left, Nicola Jarvis, front, senior veterinary surgeon; Stacey Harvey, external relations; Helen Greenhill, groom; and Peter Horrocks, trustee. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: copyright: Archant 2014)

Redwings was set up in Norfolk in 1984 and has grown to be the largest horse sanctuary in the UK, working to save horses, ponies, donkeys and mules whose future would otherwise be bleak.

The national charity celebrated its connection to Norfolk with a special thanksgiving service on Saturday that was led by the Reverend Canon Richard Capper, and included hymns and readings which celebrated animals and in particular horses and ponies.

Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress said: 'Redwings has come so far in 30 years and while we are very proud to be a national charity, we are also incredibly proud of our Norfolk roots. We wanted to find a way to celebrate our 30-year anniversary in a fitting way, and a service at Norwich Cathedral seemed the perfect solution. The fact that it involved taking donkeys to church was just an added bonus!'