ANIMAL rights activists have got the hump over plans for live camels to parade at a town’s Christmas lights festival.

Newent Town Council has hired the animals to carry the Three Kings in the annual festive lights procession on Saturday, November 25.

But now Animal Aid has written to the town’s mayor urging councillors to cancel the camel parade, claiming the animals hate noisy crowds and bright lights.

The council has already paid out £510 to book the camels from Warwickshire-based Joseph’s Amazing Camels.

And in conjunction with retro sweet shop Sweet Memories, the council is raffling off the chance to ride them as one of the Three Kings.

In his letter to town mayor Cllr June Wood, Animal Aid campaign manager Tod Bradbury says: “Not only is it cruel to transport animals the length and breadth of the country, just to display them in stressful situations for the sake of entertainment, it also gives the wrong impression to the public, particularly young children.

Owner Rebecca Fossett said: “They are domesticated animals, just like horses.”

Councillors are due to discuss the matter at their meeting next Monday (October 9).