People

Celebrities and Royals from around the world. Right on schedule.

News

Daily news and events, covered by our international photographers.

Features

Odd, funny and touchy images. Be amazed.

Styling

Fashion and design trends.

Portrait

Premium Portraiture.

Reportage

In-depth Coverage.

Creative

Selected stock imagery.

Dukas Bildagentur
request@dukas.ch
+41 44 298 50 00

Your search:

126 result(s) in 5 ms

  • Snailpimp
    DUKAS_44701360_EXC
    Snailpimp
    Snailpimp

    ÒSnailpimpÓ is a project by artist Stefan Siverud, who is having fun decorating living snails with the most varied designs, from the McDonaldÕs logo to the miniature lighthouse through Pac-Man, Ikea and Adidas. A funny and interesting project, achieved with non-toxic paints, which of course raises the question of the impact on these living animals. If some people ironize that these highly visible snails are less likely to be inadvertently stepped on by people, others point out that they are more easily spotted by predatorsÉ

    Photo shows: Fight Club Snail
    ©Stefan Siverud/Exclusivepix (FOTO: DUKAS/EXCLUSIVEPIX)

    DUKAS/EXCLUSIVEPIX

     

  • Realistic chocolate creepy crawlies, Kent, Britain - 17 Dec 2012
    DUKAS_27325794_REX
    Realistic chocolate creepy crawlies, Kent, Britain - 17 Dec 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Verraes / Rex Features (2040241h)
    Chocolate snail
    Edible Insects Look Gruesome But Taste Sweet
    Realistic chocolate creepy crawlies will send shivers down your spine.

    Self-taught chocolatier, Chris Verraes has made a series of hideous-looking chocolate insects including a blood-sucking leech, a garden snail and a warty toad.

    The 41-year-old, who owns London-based chocolate and cake shop, Cake For Breakfast, has made the insects into gastronomic experiences by filling the chocolate snails with a cress infused green ganache and stuffing the toad's warts with popping candy.

    Chris makes his chocolates by firstly creating the desired shape from clay and then into silicone moulds. They are then cast in chocolate and painted with pigmented cacao butter.

    Emigrating from Belgium ten years ago Chris Verraes drew inspiration from his childhood and decided to set up a chocolate curiosity cabinet in the UK.

    He said: "I grew up in a very rural setting. My playground was a seemingly endless area of fields and small canals. It was full of wildlife, mostly frogs, birds, small mammals and insects.

    "My father, being a zoologist, took us on regular museum visits. The natural history museum in Brussels was by far my favourite. Add Sir David Attenborough to the mix with television series and books and it comes probably as no surprise I've got an affinity with animals.

    "For me a chocolate shop would ideally double up as a museum. The excitement we have when we're young is often frozen in time when we become adults and responsibilities take over. So essentially I try and create chocolates that rekindle wonder and excitement."

    MUST CREDIT PICTURES TO:
    Chris Verraes/Rex Features


    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/CQYECLKAJ (FOTO:DUKAS/REX)

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Realistic chocolate creepy crawlies, Kent, Britain - 17 Dec 2012
    DUKAS_27325790_REX
    Realistic chocolate creepy crawlies, Kent, Britain - 17 Dec 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Verraes / Rex Features (2040241d)
    Chocolate snail
    Edible Insects Look Gruesome But Taste Sweet
    Realistic chocolate creepy crawlies will send shivers down your spine.

    Self-taught chocolatier, Chris Verraes has made a series of hideous-looking chocolate insects including a blood-sucking leech, a garden snail and a warty toad.

    The 41-year-old, who owns London-based chocolate and cake shop, Cake For Breakfast, has made the insects into gastronomic experiences by filling the chocolate snails with a cress infused green ganache and stuffing the toad's warts with popping candy.

    Chris makes his chocolates by firstly creating the desired shape from clay and then into silicone moulds. They are then cast in chocolate and painted with pigmented cacao butter.

    Emigrating from Belgium ten years ago Chris Verraes drew inspiration from his childhood and decided to set up a chocolate curiosity cabinet in the UK.

    He said: "I grew up in a very rural setting. My playground was a seemingly endless area of fields and small canals. It was full of wildlife, mostly frogs, birds, small mammals and insects.

    "My father, being a zoologist, took us on regular museum visits. The natural history museum in Brussels was by far my favourite. Add Sir David Attenborough to the mix with television series and books and it comes probably as no surprise I've got an affinity with animals.

    "For me a chocolate shop would ideally double up as a museum. The excitement we have when we're young is often frozen in time when we become adults and responsibilities take over. So essentially I try and create chocolates that rekindle wonder and excitement."

    MUST CREDIT PICTURES TO:
    Chris Verraes/Rex Features


    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/CQYECLKAJ (FOTO:DUKAS/REX)

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Images created from spent matches, smoke and fire, Ekaterinburg, Russia - 05 Dec 2012
    DUKAS_27134489_REX_2
    Images created from spent matches, smoke and fire, Ekaterinburg, Russia - 05 Dec 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Stanislav Aristov / Rex Features (2014093o)
    Snail made from spent matches, smoke and fire.
    Hot Stuff: Art That's Literally On Fire
    Some bright spark has set the art world alight and created these amazing images using spent matches and fire.

    Stanislav Aristov, 30, makes the miniature sculptures by bending the matches into the desired shape while they are burning and then using a macro lens and studio flash he shoots the fire, matches and smoke.

    Highlights include seasonal sculptures of a brightly lit Christmas tree and a burning star.

    As well as a host of fiery animals including a matchstick dragonfly, a glowing butterfly and a tail-blazing lizard made out of the charred remains of matches.

    The artist from Yekaterinburg in Russia said: "I came across this type of art by accident.

    "I was playing with a pack of matches while I was deciding what to photograph for a competition.

    "It was while I was watching the match that I began to think of how it represents life.

    "There is the burnt part representing the past, the smoke of memories left and the untouched part of the match the future.

    "The fire is the life. Matches of course are quite normal objects but it turned out they can be presented in very unusual ways."

    MUST CREDIT PICTURES TO:
    Stanislav Aristov/Rex Features

    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/CEWWXDTUW (FOTO:DUKAS/REX)

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Images created from spent matches, smoke and fire, Ekaterinburg, Russia - 05 Dec 2012
    DUKAS_27134489_REX
    Images created from spent matches, smoke and fire, Ekaterinburg, Russia - 05 Dec 2012
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Stanislav Aristov / Rex Features (2014093o)
    Snail made from spent matches, smoke and fire.
    Hot Stuff: Art That's Literally On Fire
    Some bright spark has set the art world alight and created these amazing images using spent matches and fire.

    Stanislav Aristov, 30, makes the miniature sculptures by bending the matches into the desired shape while they are burning and then using a macro lens and studio flash he shoots the fire, matches and smoke.

    Highlights include seasonal sculptures of a brightly lit Christmas tree and a burning star.

    As well as a host of fiery animals including a matchstick dragonfly, a glowing butterfly and a tail-blazing lizard made out of the charred remains of matches.

    The artist from Yekaterinburg in Russia said: "I came across this type of art by accident.

    "I was playing with a pack of matches while I was deciding what to photograph for a competition.

    "It was while I was watching the match that I began to think of how it represents life.

    "There is the burnt part representing the past, the smoke of memories left and the untouched part of the match the future.

    "The fire is the life. Matches of course are quite normal objects but it turned out they can be presented in very unusual ways."

    MUST CREDIT PICTURES TO:
    Stanislav Aristov/Rex Features

    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/CEWWXDTUW (FOTO:DUKAS/REX)

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Deep-sea habitats in New Zealand
    DUKAS_24305125_POL
    Deep-sea habitats in New Zealand
    June 11, 2012 - Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: A thalassocyon tui Fig shell snail with a stalked barnacle attached is pictured. Researchers from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have concluded a deep-sea survey of habitats off the Bay of Plenty in the country's North Island. Surveying seamounts, hydrothermal vents, canyons and the continental slope at depths between 700 and 1,500 metres scientists will use the data to help understand deep-sea biological communities' vulnerability to human activities and assess the ecological risk to one of the world's most diverse and vibrant sea floors. Often these deep-sea species grow and reproduce slowly, and live in only a small area, which makes them more vulnerable to impacts from human activities. (Polaris) (FOTO:DUKAS/POLARIS)
    DUKAS/POLARIS

     

  • Waved Whelk Shell
    DUKAS_92941376_PPR
    Waved Whelk Shell
    Waved Whelk Shell *** Local Caption *** 00623784

     

  • CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    DUKAS_20423866_XPO
    CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    22.SEPT.2011

    BRITISH SINGER JESSIE J POSTED SOME PICTURES ON HER TWITTER PAGE OF HER ENJOYING SOME SNAIL'S FOR LUNCH WHILE STAYING AT HER HOTEL IN PARIS.

    BYLINE MUST READ : SUPPLIED BY XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM

    *GERMAN CLIENTS, PLEASE CALL TO AGREE FEE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION*

    *UK CLIENTS MUST CALL PRIOR TO TV OR ONLINE USAGE PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 7377 2770 & +1 310 562 7073* (FOTO: DUKAS/XPOSURE)

    DUKAS/XPOSURE

     

  • CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    DUKAS_20423864_XPO
    CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    22.SEPT.2011

    BRITISH SINGER JESSIE J POSTED SOME PICTURES ON HER TWITTER PAGE OF HER ENJOYING SOME SNAIL'S FOR LUNCH WHILE STAYING AT HER HOTEL IN PARIS.

    BYLINE MUST READ : SUPPLIED BY XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM

    *GERMAN CLIENTS, PLEASE CALL TO AGREE FEE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION*

    *UK CLIENTS MUST CALL PRIOR TO TV OR ONLINE USAGE PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 7377 2770 & +1 310 562 7073* (FOTO: DUKAS/XPOSURE)

    DUKAS/XPOSURE

     

  • CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    DUKAS_20423863_XPO
    CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    22.SEPT.2011

    BRITISH SINGER JESSIE J POSTED SOME PICTURES ON HER TWITTER PAGE OF HER ENJOYING SOME SNAIL'S FOR LUNCH WHILE STAYING AT HER HOTEL IN PARIS.

    BYLINE MUST READ : SUPPLIED BY XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM

    *GERMAN CLIENTS, PLEASE CALL TO AGREE FEE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION*

    *UK CLIENTS MUST CALL PRIOR TO TV OR ONLINE USAGE PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 7377 2770 & +1 310 562 7073* (FOTO: DUKAS/XPOSURE)

    DUKAS/XPOSURE

     

  • CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    DUKAS_20423862_XPO
    CELEB TWITTER PICTURES
    22.SEPT.2011

    BRITISH SINGER JESSIE J POSTED SOME PICTURES ON HER TWITTER PAGE OF HER ENJOYING SOME SNAIL'S FOR LUNCH WHILE STAYING AT HER HOTEL IN PARIS.

    BYLINE MUST READ : SUPPLIED BY XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM

    *GERMAN CLIENTS, PLEASE CALL TO AGREE FEE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION*

    *UK CLIENTS MUST CALL PRIOR TO TV OR ONLINE USAGE PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 7377 2770 & +1 310 562 7073* (FOTO: DUKAS/XPOSURE)

    DUKAS/XPOSURE

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938597_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938591_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938589_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938588_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938587_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938586_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • Colour Digital
    DUKAS_10938585_TOP
    Colour Digital
    El Caracol, The Observatory, Chichen Itza Archaeological Site, Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico
    DUKAS/TOPFOTO

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642403_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features ( 981023e )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to ...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642402_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features ( 981023d )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to ...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642399_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features ( 981023c )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to ...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642398_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Robinson / Rex Features ( 981023a )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to ...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642391_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Albanpix Ltd / Rex Features ( 981022j )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to respo...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642388_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Albanpix Ltd / Rex Features ( 981022i )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to respo...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at  Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    DUKAS_10642384_REX
    The 2009 Snail Racing world championships held at Congham, Norfolk, Britain - 18 Jul 2009
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Albanpix Ltd / Rex Features ( 981022c )


    READY, STEADY, SLOW! AT SNAIL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

    More than 200 snails slugged it out at one of the SLOWEST ever World Snail Racing Championships today (18 July).

    The slimy garden creatures slithered at an even slower snail's pace than normal as the strong winds kept drying out the damp track in the tiny Norfolk village of Congham.

    The challenging 13 inch course is usually kept wet to allow the snails to glide smoothly.

    But the tricky conditions meant this year's winner Terri took nearly three minutes to win the contest and a tankard stuffed full of lettuce.

    "The racing has been slow as the wind was drying out the course but it has been good fun and we almost had a couple of dead heats," said snailmaster Neil Risborough, who started the race by shouting "Ready, Steady, Slow!"

    "This year's winner did the course in 2 minutes 49 seconds which is not very fast but it was still a fantastic final."

    The quirky competition, which has been running for nearly 40 years, attracted thousands of spectators from all corners of the world, including USA, Malawi and Czechoslovakia.

    Although there are a number of imitations, it is the only recognised World Championship.

    "Congham is ideal snail breeding and racing country as they like damp conditions and the village sits in a low-lying area surrounded by ponds," said organiser Hilary Scase.

    "Congham is to snail racing what Newmarket is to horse racing."

    The championships are part of Congham fete and were originally started to help raise money for the 13th century village church.

    Today it attracts hundreds of entrants of all ages, many whom have spent days training their snails for the big event.

    "A lot of the children like to choose their snails a long time in advance and train them," she added.

    "Surprisngly the snails seem to respo...
    For more information visit http://www.rexfeatures.com/stacklink/HAPFJRZR

    DUKAS/REX

     

  • Snail
    DUKAS_92938107_PPR
    Snail
    Snail *** Local Caption *** 00614535