The UK's largest independent soapbox race will return to Great Dunmow next month.

Promising a thrilling spectacle of jumps, near-misses and sometimes a spectacular crash, the Great Dunmow Soapbox Race will crown its fourth winner on Sunday, April 30.

More than 700 teams are waiting to join and 70 are already taking part, and the event is expected to raise a large sum for charities - with more than £75,000 raised to date.

Last year's race - which features creative homemade soapbox vehicles - saw a stunning upset, as 'Greased Lightning' - an underdog scout group with the odds stacked against them - blew away professional racers.

Makeshift vehicles last year included a Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, a fire engine, a combine harvester and more.

Teams will face jumps and the slippery blizzard alley, racing against the clock to be the first to the finish line.

The Great Dunmow Soapbox Race is organised by Great Dunmow Round Table, a charity made up of men aged 18 to 45 who voluntarily hold fundraising events for local charities.

Over the past 10 years, the charity has raised more than £250,000 through events such as fireworks night, Santa's sleigh and concert nights.

In previous years the soapbox race has raised money to support hospices, cancer charities, mental health charities and community groups for vulnerable children - with some proceeds this year going towards disability charity Accuro.

READ MORE

Due to the popularity of the race, extra measures are being taken to facilitate the more than 20,000 people who are expected to attend.

These measures will include three giant screens, a larger film crew than usual, more entertainment and more exhilerating and challenging obstacles.

The soapbox race will take place from 10am to 6pm on April 30, starting in Braintree Road.

This is the fourth race to take place since 2018, as both the 2020 and 2021 races were cancelled due to the pandemic.

There are no tickets to attend the event, but a donation is required upon entry. Entering a team costs £50 per soapbox.

For more information and to enter a team visit https://www.greatdunmowsoapboxrace.co.uk/.