Ashby's Soapbox Derby is set to become a regular fixture on the town's event calendar after another successful event last Sunday.

The Derby was staged by Ashby BID for a second year in the town centre - and once again attracted thousands of people to Market Street.

Imaginatively designed vehicles negotiated a ramp and kickers on Market Street to see who could clock the fastest time.

There were junior and senior races - with a flame thrower making an appearance along with Ashby's new town mascot Sir Zouchie. A big screen at the junction with Brook Street - which was home to the pits area - also helped people to see the action.

Stuart Benson, from Ashby BID, said the response to this year's event proved it was right to bring it back and there is no reason why it cannot happen every year.

He told Ashby Nub News: "It's probably the town's biggest event now - to get that many people all in one place with the community spirit that goes with it.

"It really was a fantastic day and great to see people responding for a second year.

"The changes that we made this year and how we've grown the event. 

"Having that big screen and the live timing results available was amazing. The camaraderie in the pits was fantastic.

"Because we changed the layout and how we did the pits, the teams are all interacting with each other - looking at each other's builds and cribbing for what you know, what they could sort of add to theirs for future years. 

"The event wasn't without incident, but you expect that, with the thrills and spills of this kind of event, that we're going to get a few sort of little crashes here. 

"There were no major injuries as such, just a few grazes here and there.

"Plus, the weather was on our side and the town businesses reported really good trade, which you'd expect.

"But they were certainly a lot more prepared this year than they were previously.

"It's something that brings everybody together, and it's free. If they want to buy stuff, they can, then they don't have to. 

"But I was receiving emails and phone calls with people saying: 'Can I buy tickets?' - I kept saying it was free.

"A lot of the teams were collecting for charities and quite a few of them have emailed me back and told me how much money they raised just from the event alone.

"The generosity of the general public was brilliant. So the teams were pleased. We're pleased. The local businesses were pleased and the public were pleased."

Stuart said it would be staged in Ashby for the forseeable future.

He added: "As long as it is BID supported, we will hold it every year."