Crowds cheer brave racers at this year Barrow Soapbox Derby

Barrow town centre was transformed into a race track for Barrow's Soapbox Derby on Dalton Road on Saturday.

The event, sponsored by BAE Systems and Barrow Town Council, saw karts of all shapes, sizes and themes that local organisations have been working hard on.

Splash zone (Image: Filipa Gaspar, Newsquest) Racing began at 10am when the flag was dropped for the first competitors to pilot their soapbox down the town centre course. They then were followed by the remaining race teams, as they aimed to set the fastest time down the thrilling course.

Following last year's success, the splash zone, sponsored by Grimefighters UK, returned where competitors will have to carefully negotiate to make it over the finish line in the fastest time possible.

Eighteen teams raced several times during the day and the one with the fastest time will be crowned as the Barrow Soapbox Derby Champion. (left to right) Daniel Mulgrew and Ross Rimmer (Image: Filipa Gaspar, Newsquest) South End Caravan Park's team weaved the 2-seated kart down the daring course. This soapbox previously won the 'most innovative kart design' award at the last Barrow Soapbox Derby.

One of the six team members, Ross Rimmer, said this was his first time taking part in the event and hopes to return next year.

He said: "It was quite scary at first but then we put the breaks on and had to get out of it and push it."

(left to right) Shawn Abbingdon and Kier Hill (Image: Filipa Gaspar, Newsquest) Shawn Abbingdon of the Wet Room's team explained their kart was a modification of last year's creation.

"We tried to make it better because we came second last year," he said.

"We have been getting some decent teams this year and some good karts."

Jafar's Car team (Image: Filipa Gaspar, Newsquest) BAE's Jafar Car inspired by Alladin's movie started being built in March and took two weeks in total to be completed.

"A lot of it is recycled parts to make it a bit better for the environment. The only new thing is the monkey," said Josh Parkinson.

(left to right) Kay Kane, Melanie Corrie and Joanne Granger (Image: Filipa Gaspar, Newsquest)

Joanne Grainger, a Barrow BID director representing health, beauty and personal wellbeing, said: "All businesses are involved all levy payers can be involved as well. You have got people from outside town who have also built their own go-karts."

Melanie Corrie, Barrow BID Director representing professional services, said: "We supported local charities as well to get the use of a kart so they can also partake so it is good for them and their own coverage of the charity but also it is good for the town because it brings people in to spend money in the shops."