JOCKEYS got a bumpy ride when camel racing came to Marks Tey.

Organisers cancelled the traditional Easter Monday point-to-point horse racing for the first time in 91 years, because the drought-like conditions turned the course into a dust bowl.

The Essex Farmers’ and Union Hunt came up with camel racing to save the day.

Riders from young farmers’ clubs across the county were given a bumpy ride, to the amusement of 1,500 spectators, some of whom had a flutter on the ships of the desert.

Ruth Alston, one of the organisers, said: “It attracted a lot of interest but, ideally, next year we hope to have horses back.

“It is ironic we didn’t have the horses because of the dry weather and today it poured. But we have made the best of a bad weather day. It was good family fun.”

Camels Ruby, Sahara, Kazak and Stan were transported from their home in Warwickshire, where they work for a company called Joseph’s Amazing Camels.

The rain might not have been the desert-like conditions they are more acquainted with, but it did not stop them delivering entertainment.

They plodded along a distance of 200 metres – one furlong.

Apart from the camel races, there were a number of pony races, with children as jockeys.