THRILL-SEEKERS are speeding towards Chippenham's second annual Soap Box Derby.

Hosted by Super Mario on behalf of Chippenham Connected in partnership with Chippenham Town Council, the competition will take place on Sunday (June 3) on the High Street from 12pm - 4pm.

Teams have been busy the last few months building their karts hoping those will take them over the finish line.

They were required to hand build a non-powered kart which they will have to navigate from the bottom of Market Place, down the High Street and onto the Bridge while going as fast as they can.

50 drivers are ready to take on the track, which for the first time ever, will feature obstacles and a kicker ramp.

Last Wednesday (May 23), Super Mario took his kart for a test run and visited the competing teams to see how they were getting on in the lead up to the event.

Owain Wilford, whose team competed in last year's event and who will be returning this year, said: "We built the kart for last year's Chippenham Soap Box Derby and we're looking forward to competing again this year.

"We entered the race at Tetbury this year too."

In true community event style, local schools were invited to take part in a competition to design the handwave flags which will be given to the crowd.

Scores of entries have arrived from pupils at Ive Lane Primary School, Kings Lodge Primary School and Queens Crescent Primary School ready to be judged by Mayor of Chippenham, Councillor Andy Phillips, and Kathryn Crosweller of Chippenham Connected.

Judges have been deliberating long and hard over the entries, noting their range of imagination and creative flair.

The winners have been chosen and will be announced on the day of the Soap Box Derby.

Mayor Cllr Andy Phillips, said: "I was very impressed by the creativity and imagination that went into the designs for this competition.

"We have many talented children in Chippenham and I can't wait to see the winning designs on the flags at this superb family event."

To stay up-to-date with developments and see sneak peaks of what the day will include, check out the Facebook event Chippenham Soap Box Derby 2018.