Villagers fed up with hauling their shopping up a steep hill are hoping to ease their burden with the help of a four-legged friend.

More than 30 residents living along the narrow paths of Chalford, Glos, are unable to reach their properties by car.

But rather than calling for better road access, they believe donkeys could offer an eco-friendly method of bringing their groceries home.

Archive pictures of the village dating from the 1930s show donkeys delivering bread and coal from a nearby canal.

However, the special deliveries stopped in the 1950s.

Now a campaign, called "Bring Back the Chalford Donkey", is gathering pace.

The idea, first suggested in a community group newsletter, has won the support of home owners in the village.

Some are even suggesting cars in the area should be banned in favour of the animals.

Locals are asking their parish council to contribute to the £300-£600 cost of buying a donkey from a nearby sanctuary.