The Donkey Sanctuary based in Sidmouth has become the first equine charity in the world to be accepted into the United Nations' Mountain Partnership.

The Sidmouth based charity will now work with international governments, NGOs and private sectors for the common good of improving the lives of mountain people and protecting mountain environments globally.

Membership of the Mountain Partnership, which is part of the UN's Food and Agriculture organisation (FAO), will be relevant to The Donkey Sanctuary's international work to improve the welfare of working equines in mountain areas worldwide.

For example, in Nepal where donkeys and mules work alongside communities in the brick kilns who rely solely on the brick-making industry for their income.

The charity also works with communities manufacturing a traditional spirit, called Mezcal (similar to Tequila) where donkeys and mules collect the required cacti and firewood from the steep hills and forests of southern Mexico.

João Rodrigues, Senior Lead, Welfare Assessment at The Donkey Sanctuary who is based in Sidmouth said: "Having the opportunity to join the Mountain Partnership is absolutely fantastic, as it allows us to create new ways to promote the health and welfare of working equids.

"From our international headquarters here in Sidmouth we're helping to make a difference to communities around the world who rely on donkeys for their livelihoods."

The Mountain Partnership Secretariat said on the approving the charity's membership: "We are very pleased to welcome The Donkey Sanctuary as a member of the Mountain Partnership. We look forward to working together with the common goal of achieving sustainable mountain development around the world.

"We are confident that The Donkey Sanctuary will not only benefit from what the Partnership has to offer, but will also contribute significantly to realising our agreed upon objectives and vision."

The Donkey Sanctuary is a global leader for equine welfare, research and veterinary care and operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation.