THE unusual sport of hamster racing is being staged at a North-East tourist attraction.

Four rodents in specially modified cars are being pitted against each other at Adventure Valley in, Brasside, near Durham.

The “drivers” have been named Lewis Hammy, Michael Chewmacher, Rodent Barrichello and Jenson Button Nose and race along a five-metre track, with live commentary.

They each have their own wheel, which slots into a racing car, and whoever crosses the chequered line first is the winner.

Owner Marco Calzini said: “Our hamsters love to race and have been doing practice circuits.

“Competition is, of course, fierce and the hamsters have been pulling out all the stops to ensure they win.

“Extremely funny and very entertaining, we know our visitors will love it as much as the hamsters do.”

Visitors are encouraged to take up a free bet on the pet-powered cars in a grand prix-style event. Whoever guesses right gets a treat.

Mr Calzini said: “We wanted to introduce something a bit different and something new and exciting.

“It is something I don’t think most people will have seen before – it’s pretty unusual.

“But it has gone really well and people seemed to have enjoyed it.”

Mr Calzini’s six-year-old daughter, Alessia, who attends St Godric’s Primary School, in Durham, got the first race under way.

She said: “It is really good fun when the hamsters are racing each other.

“People are cheering on the one whose name they have picked.

“Sometimes they go backwards and sometimes they go forwards – it’s really funny.”

For more information, call 0191-386-8291 or go to adventurevalley.co.uk