Go-karts on slippery slope in village

Thousands of spectators descended on a village near Lichfield to catch a glimpse of real-life wacky racers speeding down a hill in home-made karts.

Their crazy vehicles were fashioned into weird and wonderful designs, from a furry dog to a giant piece of cheese.

This year's Hoar Cross Downhill Soapbox saw scores of daredevil competitors throwing caution to the wind and zooming down School Hill in home made karts to raise money for children's charity When You Wish Upon a Star. The annual race began in 2004 when regulars at the Meynell Ingram Arms who decided to raise money for charity.

The Soapbox has since gone on to become one of the most popular events on Staffordshire's festive calendar.

Ian Austin, one of the organisers, said he thought spectator numbers at yesterday's race topped last year's, which attracted a crowd of 3,500.

"We are absolutely thrilled with how it went." Team Big Dog won the award for the best-dressed kart in their contraption designed to look like a giant pooch.

But it was Made in England in their patriotic design who made it down the hill quickest with co-drivers James Roddick and John Birkett.

"They made it down in just over one minute," Mr Austin said.

"They actually started building their kart last January."

Organisers were today still totting up the total raised for When You Wish Upon a Star, but Mr Austin said they were hoping to top the £75,000 raised for Acorns Children's Hospice last year.