A 29-YEAR-old woman has been charged with drink driving after allegedly hitting a donkey on Minchinhampton Common.

Much-loved donkey Alfie - pictured here by Heather Cook - is now recovering after being struck by a car on Friday evening.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "We were called to Minchinhampton Common shortly after 10.10pm on Friday (12 July) following reports that a donkey had been hit by a car.

"Officers attended and the driver of the car was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

"A 29-year-old woman has since been charged with driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit and is due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 31 July."

The SNJ understands that the woman has since offered to foot Alfie's vet bills.

Posts on social media suggested Alfie went over the roof of the car before falling to the ground.

Alfie's owner has now moved him off the common to a nearby field while he recovers.

He has been given painkillers and may require further medical treatment on his eye.

A decision on whether Alfie will return to the common has not yet been made.

Reactions to the news of the accident featured a mixture of sadness and anger.

One commenter said: "Alfie is such a lovely donkey and a key feature of the common. Sending him lots of love for a speedy recovery."

Another added: "Poor Alfie! I wish people would be more careful."

Others called for speed cameras to be introduced on the common.

Cows are released onto the common every summer but increased traffic across the unfenced commons has caused regular incidents in recent years.