Students from Nelson and Colne College have cast their expert eyes over one of the vehicles due to compete in this year's Super Soap Box Challenge.

The event, which is also sponsored by Nelson and Colne College (NCC), will see daredevil drivers take to the wheel in their soapbox in front of crowded streets in Colne on Sunday, June 30.

Apprentices from the college demonstrated their skills by giving the NCC cart an engineering MOT. 

They used the knowledge they have learnt during their college studies, and the skills they have gained through their work at their companies, to assess the cart for safety and speed. 

Marketing director of The Super Soapbox Challenge Company, Andrew Pearson, said: "It’s a privilege, once again, to bring The Nelson and Colne College Super Soapbox Challenge back to Colne on Sunday, June 30. 

"The event was a huge success last year, attracting well over 25,000 people and with Nelson and Colne College’s and Colne BID’s support, we anticipate the crowds will be even bigger this year, making it a fun-filled family day out for everyone."

Manager at the Colne BID, Aneesa McGladdery, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Nelson and Colne College on this year’s Soapbox Challenge, we are hoping that the students will be able to put the theory into practice through the design and build of the carts. 

"The day will be jam-packed, with the start ramp just outside Colne Town Hall, an artisan market with plenty of street food up Church Street and Market Street and a funfair all along Market Street. There really will be something for everyone!” 
 
Chief executive and principal of Nelson and Colne College Group, Lisa O’Loughlin, added: “Nelson and Colne College has made a considerable investment into ensuring that the young people training to be engineers have something as close to a real-life working environment as possible. 

"That is also the case for beauticians, hairdressers and those wanting a career in sport.

"The purpose of sponsoring the Super Soapbox Challenge is to make sure young people know that they have such an outstanding college on their doorstep. 

"It is going to be a really exciting, lively event, and it could also put young people on the road to a promising future!”