Spaceships, pirate ships and even converted drinks cans could be among some of the wacky karts participating in the annual Big Botesdale Soap Box Grand Prix on Bank Holiday Monday.

For the last eight years, the August public holiday has heralded the arrival of some very unusual looking vehicles in Botesdale for a race to raise money for charities.

This year, 30 karts are expected to take part along with 18 adults and between 10 and 12 children and the competitors have to race just under a quarter-of-a-mile from the top of the hill in Mill Road as far as the village's war memorial.

Chris Burnard, who organises the race with his wife Morag, said there would be a range of characters involved including cowboys and indians, Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, characters from The Flintstones and a number of people dressing up on a Baywatch theme.

Last year, 2,000 spectators thronged the village streets to watch the karts compete and �250 was raised for various local good causes.

Past beneficiaries from the racers' efforts have included East Anglia's Childrens Hospices and the St Nicholas Hospice, which provides support to people with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Mr Burnard joked: 'I think it appeals to overgrown children, bearing in mind that we get more adults taking part in it.

'It seems to appeal to men as they all like the chance to build a go-kart. It is all in good homour really.'

The races, which start at 1.30pm, will begin with two time trials and the fastest eight competitors from those races will go on to compete in the heats.