All yesterday and all of today the largest story on radio 2 has been about the poor old donkey that might have to carry a few loaves of bread and a pint of milk up a hill. What's that all about?

It all started when one of the locals who has a small holding thought it would be cute to get herself a donkey. When he mentioned it to the other villagers they suggested that the donkey could carry goods such as bread and milk up a steep hill like they used to in the old days from the canal.

Now I have to ask you why this is such earth shaking news? If only they could get as much air time to the important things that are going on instead of interviewing animal rights nerds and coaxing an argument about the welfare of the donkey. The chap they interviewed today (radio 2) said that if the load was too heavy for a person to carry up the hill, then it is too heavy for the donkey. Now correct me if I am wrong but aren't donkeys tough four legged creatures bred over hundreds of years specifically for carrying or pulling loads? Are these people on a different planet? Get a life that's what I say. Let them have their donkey, the kids will love it and leave the air space for the important stuff like finding missing children or at the very least play some decent music (but that's another story).

Better still, why don't they make some concrete donkeys and carry their own loaf of bread.