PREVIEW

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BY MARK WORGAN

A snail named after Taylor Swift shook off the competition and raced to victory at the World Snail Racing World Championships in west Norfolk last weekend.

A total of 271 snails competed at Grimston Cricket Club, where the annual contest saw the slimy speedsters battle through 18 heats of 15 racers each in front of about 600 spectators.

The winning snail, Snailor Swift, beat rivals with pun-filled names including Christopher Slowlan and Snailifer Lopez to claim the prestigious world title.

The championships date back to the 1960s and attracted competitors and visitors from across the UK and across the world - drawing in those from as far afield as Brazil and the U.S.

Snailor, owned by Sam Pemberton, completed the 13.5in (34cm) course in three minutes and 13 seconds, taking no trouble in beating a field including favourites like French snail racing champion Tom Peytoureau.

There was no bad blood between Snailor and the defeated snails, however, despite her earning the jealousy of her fellow molluscs by winning the traditional prize of a tankard of fresh lettuce.