A bountiful supply of hay, extra food and plenty of water. This is the recipe being used to keep Scratby’s donkeys safe from the beast from the east.

However, this is the limit of special action required by the team at Scratby Donkeys, with the creatures safely shut away for the winter already.

Charlotte Sheales, one of the team said: “As donkeys are not waterproof like horses, we keep them under shelter throughout the winter anyway, so they haven’t been out in the snow. I think they have the right idea.

“We knew this weather was coming so we made sure we prepared well, giving the donkeys lots of extra food and putting water into containers in case the pipes froze.

“Then it was just a case of also making sure they had plenty more hay to keep warm. They are going to be fine.”

The stables also come equipped with collapsible fronts, with extra fronts added to the shelters for extra warmth.