Teams from across Marlborough are gearing up for the town’s first soapbox derby which is set to take place this summer.

The event will take place at The Grand Avenue, in Savernake Forest, on August 24, in aid of Tesco’s charity of the year, which is yet to be decided.

Each team will build a cart to race down the three-mile stretch and there will be a host of different competition categories including fastest and best decorated.

Tesco community champion Chris Woodwood said: “I’ve contacted every company in Marlborough and so far we have 12 teams entered.

“We’ve got permission from the parish council, they’ve even said they’ll enter a team, but there’s still a lot to sort out, like how we’ll get the carts back up the hill.”

As well as Tesco’s own team, businesses which have signed up so far include Waitrose, ATS and TH White. Teams need to arrive at The Grand Avenue at 7.30am for safety checks and practice runs and the first race will start at 10am. Teams will race down the hill twice.

Permission has been given from the Savernake Trustees, through the Savernake Parish Council, to close Grand Avenue during the event.

Mr Woodwood said: “When I’ve told people we’re having a soap box derby a lot of them don’t know what one is but once I’ve explained people are really interested. When I was a boy in Lancashire the Boy’s Brigade used to have them all the time and they were great fun.

“It should be good for community spirit and I think that’s what Marlborough misses a bit of sometimes.

“Families can come along and make a day of it. We’re going to have burgers and that sort of thing as well, and if it goes well hopefully it’s something that we can do year after year.”

If you would like to enter a team email bluemarlin@ madasafish.com