TOPSY the racing camel was not at her best. With the rain bucketing

down, and the pipe band giving it laldy, it was no surprise she took the

hump.

As her race was about to start at the Nairn Farmers Show she refused

to budge. But a couple of cans of export and a blast of cigarette smoke

up her nose put her in better fettle.

And like any good tough of the track Topsy, eyes sparkling, romped

home first against her rivals, Amanda, Nicky, and Willow.

The camels, used only for promotional purposes by circus legend Mary

Chipperfield, were star turns at the 196th Nairnshire Farmers Show.

Her handler, Mr John Crisp, said: ''Topsy doesn't like the rain. And

I'm not too sure if she was over the moon with the pipe band. But we

knew exactly what to do, she loves a beer and a smoke.

''We gave her a couple of cans and a whiff of tobacco and she was off.

She's some character.''