Coffee drinkers were offered a new way to get a lift when they have got the hump.

Camels’ milk was being used as an alternative to cow’s milk at Taylor St Baristas in Queens Road in Brighton over the weekend.

Saturday was the first time that the Camelicious camel milk has been available in the UK and the new initiative was all in the name of charity.

It was the brainchild of camel milk fan Rich Ford, a 32- year-old Brighton journalist who is running the Brighton Half Marathon to raise money for charity Farm Africa.

He was hoping that customers wouldn’t bat an eyelid about giving a £1 donation to the charity when they buy the drink, which included camel milk produced in the UAE by Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products (EICMP).

Mr Ford, who works for Crawley-based food industry magazine the Grocer, said the popularity of camels’ milk was increasing around the world and he wanted to give UK coffee drinkers the chance to taste it too.

He said: “I told Farm Africa I would run the Brighton half marathon and had to think of ideas to raise money.

“I had worked with Taylor Street before and knew they were interested in experimenting with a mixture of milks for their coffee.

“There were certainly a lot of people trying it on Saturday morning when I was in the shop.

“We had a camel stencil in the shop window and that certainly got the attention of people walking down Queens Road.

“One lady I spoke to said she preferred it to cows’ milk while other people described it as ‘salty, ‘biscuity’ and as having ‘a very milky flavour’.”

Mutasher Al Badry, deputy general manager and business development manager at EICMP, said: “We are excited to celebrate our debut on the British market by supporting such a noble cause.

“Our company has a long history of endorsing charities in our region and we are more than happy to help promote sustainable farming worldwide.”

Cathy Wentworth, Farm Africa’s head of corporate and community fundraising, said: “We are thrilled that Richard has chosen to run the Brighton Half Marathon in support of Farm Africa and we love his innovative fundraising idea.

“I’d like to wish Richard the very best of success for the challenge ahead.”

To sponsor Mr Ford visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Ri chardFord8.