More than 4,000 spectators turned out to watch 31 teams compete in the biggest and best Humber Bridge Soapbox Derby to date.

The fifth annual event was held on the slip road from the Humber Bridge to the viewing area car park in Hessle on June 25.

Corporate teams and those who had joined forces with friends and family raced their colourful carts of all shapes, sizes and themes down the 450m ramp, with awards handed out for the fastest times alongside others such as Best Novelty Cart.

The Humber Bridge Soapbox Derby is run by Hessle Town Council in association with the Humber Bridge Board, with the event set up in 2011 to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

We were the chosen charity to benefit from the event and at least £4,000 has been raised.

David Prattley, Vice-Chairman and Deputy Town Mayor at Hessle Town Council, is also Chairman of the Events Committee and said it could not have been better.

He said: “It keeps getting bigger and better every year, and we were very pleased with the turnout and feedback from the teams.

“We had more entries and more spectators than ever before, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.

“We are already looking forward to next year and it was a great team effort.”

The Humber Bridge Soapbox Derby was held the day before the Humber Bridge Half Marathon, which made for an action-packed weekend in Hessle.

Rides, trampolines and refreshments also added to the family fun and Sargent Electrical in Beverley was the main sponsor for the Soapbox Derby.

Anna Hill’s team took part in the event in memory of their colleague, Mark Pollard, who lost his battle against cancer in April, aged just 30.

She said: “We raised £1,300 for the melanoma ward at Leeds Teachinng Hospitals NHS Trust in memory of Mark.

“It was a really good day and very well organised. There was a great turnout but it was quite an emotional day for us because it was for Mark.

“We had a Star Wars theme because he was a massive fan.”

Stuart Everard, of Everquip Garage Equipment Ltd in Gilberdyke, chose a 1976 Formula 1 theme for his corporate team, raising about £900 for the Smile Foundation.

He said: “I have never done anything like this before and we all really enjoyed it.

“We won the Best Car award. We’re big Formula 1 fans and had six wheels.”

Smile’s Organiser Sarah Shepherdson said: “It was a fantastic day and the teams really entered into the spirit of the event.

“We are so pleased to be the charity chosen to benefit from the Humber Bridge Soapbox Derby and it was brilliant to see so many spectators enjoying the atmosphere on the day.

“The Humber Bridge Soapbox Derby is always a fun event and we can’t wait to see what next year brings.”