Friday, thought to be the oldest donkey in Wales, if not the UK, collapsed and died on Sunday.

The 53-year-old donkey - a member of the Hoyland family from Llandysul - made headline news on several occasions and featured in numerous editions of the Tivy-side over the years.

“We are all absolutely devastated, but we couldn’t do any more for him,” said owner Wendy Hoyland

"It was his time to go and in human terms he would have been around 110 years old.

"He was a huge part of our family and in recent weeks, he had come into the kitchen when we were having breakfast.

"He was such a character and the day before he left us, he was happy pottering around in our front garden.

"Before he passed away, he ate all his dinner. He will be greatly missed.”

Friday was purchased at Crymych Market on Easter Friday around 1964, hence his name, by Alan and Ann Tromans of Capel Iwan.

Friday was given to Wendy many years ago.

“He was such an individual and I had the utmost respect for him," said Wendy.

"Whatever I did or wherever I was, he was there and hated it when we were getting ponies ready for shows as he wanted to be the one being pampered.

"He was naughty and mischievous and spent his time in our garden being fed bread every day.

"His stable door was never shut and he could come and go as he pleased. The children miss him terribly – it’s such a sad time.”