Donkeys given award for loyalty by Indian politician

An Indian politician has honoured two donkeys for their hard work and loyalty at a colourful ceremony in Bangalore.

Vatal Nagaraj called it the "the most unique award ceremony in the world", and promised to honour new animals on a monthly basis, Indian news website NDTV reports.

"I have decided to honour all domestic animals like donkeys, dogs, buffaloes, cows and oxen, as they are more loyal than human beings, hard-working, disciplined and obedient," he said.

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Nagaraj bathed and dressed the animals ahead of the ceremony, draping them with colourful beads and shawls, and then showering them with rose petals, to the amusement of onlookers.

Donkeys in some parts of India are used as transport as well as on building sites and are notoriously badly treated, according to the charity Donkey Sanctuary.

Nagaraj is well known for his unusual antics, which have in the past included riding a buffalo through town in protest against high fuel prices and riding a horse-drawn carriage playing loud Indian love songs with a goat.