A ‘CHARMING’ donkey has visited Padgate House to help patients on their road to recovery.

Rusty the donkey toured the Vulcan Close intermediate care facility and was ‘impeccably behaved’ throughout his visit.

Patients stay for a maximum of six weeks in the facility while recuperating from various ailments, with the ultimate aim of getting them back home and independent again.

Christine Harrison, activity coordinator at Padgate House, said: “He toured the unit, stopping to greet and delight all of our patients – they were blown away.

“He brought a charm and warmth into those people’s lives.

“Impeccably behaved and most elegant, Rusty did more good in his tour than any amount of therapy or medication could ever achieve.”

Rusty is one of 32 four-legged charmers living at the Donkey Sanctuary in Manchester.