Charity camel racing at Cotley Point-to-Point

If you're taking your last minute caravan holidays at Sandy Glade Holiday Park this month, I've got the perfect family day out for you to enjoy – with an added sprinkle of Middle Eastern tradition.

Organisers are hoping to raise in excess of £4,000 for Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance when camel racing comes to Cotley Point-to-Point on March 30^th.

Four camels are set to race four times over a flat furlong to mark the event's 61^st year. Jockeys will be wearing colourful Lawrence of Arabia style regalia in a sport most commonly seen in the Middle East and Australia.

Event chairman, Tom Eames said: “We've got four camel races, each with four camels competing, and we've been inundated with riders willing to raise sponsorship in order to be jockeys and from businesses wanting to sponsor the camels.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to come point-to-point racing as it's a great sport which people of all ages can enjoy.”

Having tried his hand at camel racing a few years ago, Tom added: “Riding the camels is thrilling, even if I wasn't sure who was in control, me or the camel.”

After the camels, normal horse racing will continue into the afternoon with 6 races from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. I hope the horses are kept apart from the camels or they might get the hump!

Along with the races there will also be a bar, barbeque, trade stands and a bouncy castle to keep the children entertained.

Tickets are available at a cost of £20 per car (£10 for cars carrying just 1 person).