THRILL seekers enjoyed plenty of laughter when they took part in the Trowbridge annual Soapbox Grand Prix on Saturday.

A total of 16 adult riders and seven children braved the gloomy weather during the tenth soapbox grand prix as they hurtled down Castle Street in their homemade karts.

The event, organised by the Trowbridge Carnival Committee headed by Maryrose Mantle from the town council, attracted entries from across the county and even further afield – something which she believes guarantees a morning of fun.

Mrs Mantle said: “It was lovely to see so many different areas joining and get involved.

“The weather was a bit dull to begin with but then it warmed up and we had quite a good crowd come out to watch and there was lots of laughter.

“We had a brilliant team from the ambulance service and they each had a turn going town and we gave them a special award because of it.

“Everyone had a great laugh and so many people have supported the soapbox in preparation for the carnival which is coming along nicely as we are getting new entries so it promises to be a great night.”

Entrants were timed over the three runs down Castle Street with the combined times added to give the overall figures.

In the junior section, Leanne Price, from Egham, Surrey came out on top while her dad Colin Hedger won the adult category. Special awards were handed out to an ambulance crew from Trowbridge as well as an award for best crash to Bradford on Avon’s Josh Coombes in his Uni-Pig.

One brave soul taking part was Zakk Gale, nine from Trowbridge who decided to take part after watching last year’s event and made a kart out of a green recycling bin.

Zakk’s mum Jess, 37 said: “He designed it and made it all by himself and that is why we are so proud of him. He is into his cars and motorbikes and he said he really wanted to do it which we took with a pinch of salt but as soon as he broke up from school a few weeks ago, he remembered and started to draw up his plans.

“He loved taking part and he is already looking at how to make tweaks for next year.”

Trowbridge's annual carnival will be taking place on October 22 and in the build-up the committee will be holding a country fair and boot sale in the town’s park on September 10.