Don’t get the hump, but there are no camels for the parade this year

THE traditional camel parade in South Shields has been forced to go ahead without the main attraction – the camels.

The annual festive parade along Ocean Road has marked the start of Christmas in South Tyneside for the last six years.

But this year, the parade has taken place without the camels after a bad crash in Yorkshire stopped the animals being transported up to South Shields in time.

Due to the heavy traffic the decision was taken to cancel the camels’ appearance last night.

South Tyneside Council announced the news yesterday afternoon but said the rest of the parade would be going ahead.

It said: “We have been informed that due to unforeseen circumstances the Camel Parade in South Shields will not feature any camels! The camels are sorry to disappoint. The parade and other attractions will still go ahead as planned.”

The camels have been used to re-create the story from the nativity of the three wise men following the star to the birthplace of Jesus.

The use of the camels has proved controversial among animal rights activists however, who have argued that the animals should not be used for the purposes of entertainment.

To reassure those worried, the local authority had insisted they would be inspected by a vet on arrival. Environmental Health officers were also due to be on site.

Despite the lack of camels, there was street entertainment and a finale of fireworks. Ocean Road and Sea Road north from the Sea Hotel roundabout were closed for the event.