A JOYOUS mule-tide is promised for Silsden folk this weekend after a desperate search for a donkey was successful.

Organisers of the town’s annual Roving Nativity issued a Twitter appeal this week to find a live donkey for the event on Sunday.

A chalk board went up outside the town place of worship in Kirkgate asking for anyone who could help provide a beast of burden.

Members of St James’s Church dress up each year to present the Nativity story outdoors, with Mary riding on a real animal.

The event takes place alongside the annual Christmas market organised by Silsden Gala Committee, which is this year on Sunday November 26.

The committee promises lots of stalls inside Silsden Town Hall and outside on nearby Briggate, from 10am.

A spokesman said: “Come and join in the festive fun, activities, stalls and refreshments and of course meet Santa! The event will finish at the bandstand at 4pm with the traditional switch-on of the Christmas lights!”