Mr Cullings' donkeys will be retired to a sanctuary in Devon

Trevor Cullings has been running the events in Suffolk and Norfolk for the last 38 years, but has had increasing difficulty getting insurance cover.

Mr Cullings, from North Walsham, Norfolk, held his last ever derby in Suffolk on Saturday at Stoke by Nayland Primary School near Sudbury.

He said the cost of liability insurance meant the donkey derby was just not economically viable any more.

"Even if we are offered insurance, how much will it cost bearing in mind that we only operate seven weeks a year?" he said.

"You can see the pound signs in front of your eyes and we just can not afford to do it. It's not viable any more."

Mr Cullings said his donkeys would be given an easy retirement at a sanctuary at Sidmouth in Devon.