'Disappointed' organisers cancel Earls Barton Soapbox Derby after 'holding on for as long as possible'

A Northamptonshire soapbox race that had fast become one of its village's annual highlights has been cancelled.

The third annual Earls Barton Soapbox Derby was set to be bigger and better than ever this year when it returned to West Street in September.

But now, like countless other events across the country, the race has been postponed until next year in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the race's organisers and committee members Michelle Reeves told the Chronicle & Echo: "We tried to leave it as long as possible just in case something changed. But I think it's inevitable that large gatherings won't be permitted this year.

"Hopefully we will be back next year for the biggest and best yet."

The yearly race - which was first conceived in 2017 when 12-year-old Archie Reeves made a pitch to the parish council - has fast become one of the village's annual highlights.

All the racers and teams are picked from Earls Barton's residents and the event is sponsored by the village's own shops and businesses.

This year's theme would have been "Earls Barton Goes to the Movies" - but the theme and all the teams who were booked to race will now carry over to 2021.

Michelle said: "It's just a shame. The biggest disappointment is, given the circumstances, it would have been a real lift in spirits for the whole village and given shops a boost in business.

"But everyone's health takes priority over that.

"Hopefully, by next September, we will have returned to a more normal situation."

To stay up to date on the Earls Barton Soapbox, visit their Facebook page.