IF there’s one thing about a trip to the seaside that’s sure to give you the hump, it’s this.

Two camels will be figuring in many people’s holiday snaps from Bournemouth this summer.

The mother and son camels, nine-year-old Veneta and four-year-old Gobi, drew crowds both of locals and tourists when they appeared on the beach yesterday, and unsurprisingly the children took a particular shine to them.

Wearing brightly coloured rugs, the European-bred Bactrian camels created plenty of opportunities for unusual photographs.

There was also the chance for people to have a ride with the assistance of two camel handlers. It is believed this is the first time camels have come to a UK beach, and it was the idea of Rod Cooper, councillor for Wallisdown and Winton, to make Bournemouth the first.

He said: “Many beaches offer donkey rides so we are looking to investigate whether we can do the same but with camels and turn this into something more regular.

“We are hoping to get some palm trees along the beach as well and really push Bournemouth ahead.”

The camels, from The Animal Company in Ashbourne, will be at the Bournemouth beach again today near Bournemouth pier from noon to 5pm.

One tourist from Berkshire said: “This wasn’t something I expected to see – it’s a bit bizarre. But it definitely brings something a bit exotic to Bournemouth.”

Another, from Cheshire, added: “The camels seem to be getting a lot of attention – the kids are flocking around them.”

Alisa Gibbs, a mother from Southbourne, said her child was desperate for a ride.

She said: “We have been waiting here for an hour to see them. My daughter saw the van and just refused to go home before seeing them.”