THERE was no surprise when a donkey wandered in to Villa Real Special School this week.

For staff at the Consett school for youngsters with learning difficulties were recreating Palm Sunday to help get across the message of Easter.

Assistant headteacher Gill Stringer said: "The children had been preparing for weeks and were so looking forward to it.

"They had been making palms for the event and it was great fun and a tribute to our RE co-ordinator Pauline James who did so much to make it happen.

"The people at Hall Hill Farm donated their donkey for the day even though they're preparing to open for the first time since 2000, which was great."