The rainy British seaside holiday, replete with damp sandwiches and ineffectual windbreaks has been a source of misery for generations of children.

But it’s not just humans who are left despondent by the UK’s fretful weather. Donkeys hate it too, a new study has found.

The animals, which were once a staple of coastal resorts providing rides for youngsters in the most inclement conditions, loathe the rain and the wind and and will make a dash for cover as soon as the clouds roll in and temperatures drop.

The University of Portsmouth found that although most horses are usually found outside in all weather conditions, donkeys prefer to huddle indoors unless its a bright sunny day.