Businesses from across south Cumbria have answered a rallying cry to take part in the much-anticipated Super Soapbox Challenge.

BAE Systems, Orsted, Oxley Group, Holker Estates, Vestas Offshore Wind and Furness College have all entered teams for the high octane spectacle, which will see more than 20 teams charge down Dalton Road in handmade karts.

Each team will have three attempts at the course with their fastest time going onto the leaderboard before the grand final decides the overall winner.

And while businesses will be aiming for glory – there will be one confident competitor who will strike fear into the competition.

Ski jump legend Eddie the Eagle has thrown his backing behind the racing spectacle, which has been organised by Barrow’s Business Improvement District, with the 1988 Olympic hopeful to be the first to shoot down the ramp at the top of Dalton Road at 10am on Saturday, June 29.

Businesses from across Barrow town centre are now urging the community to show its support by turning out in force to support the event – which aims to boost trade and raise the profile of the town.

Gawain Steel, director of operations at the Townhouse, said the Soapbox Derby could become one of the biggest dates in Barrow's calendar.

"The Barrow BID team has done a fantastic job in bringing such a fantastic event to the town," he said.

"With the backing of the public the Soapbox Derby will be a phenomenal day which the whole community can enjoy."