CARS and drivers of all different shapes and sizes roared down the quiet roads of Cookham Dean yesterday as the annual Gravity Grand Prix returned.

With an audience in its thousands this year’s entrants did not fail to deliver with a number of crowd favourites on display.

From Dr Who to Bill and Ben, and the whacky to the weird, this year’s action packed race had it all and with some competing for best time and others for the best novelty, there was something on show for everyone.

In the build up to the race, the Gravity Grand Prix founder said he had enjoyed watching it grow every year.

Peter Bartlett said: “We are hoping this year will be bigger than the rest, we expect about 2,000 people will turn up over the course of the day.

“I first came up with the idea after being on a holiday in Devon and we saw something similar with go karts, and since starting this up eight years ago it has just grown and grown and grown.

“The aim is just to have a nice day out and bring the whole community together, and of course we also try and raise funds for the Air Ambulance Service.”

Mr Bartlett had two reasons to be watching on the day as he also built one of the cars, which was being driven by his two sons, Charlie and Ollie.

As part of the families Dr Who-theme this year, 24-year-old Charlie rode along on the back of their fathers Tardis creation while Ollie was steering from the inside.

Charlie said: “I think we have competed every year since Dad started it. It is always good fun and an opportunity to have a bit of a laugh.

“Last year we won a competition as a grand piano car, but this looks a little less stable, so we are just hoping we will get around the course.”

One team which particularly blossomed on the day was business partners from Cookham florists Fleurs de la Maison.

Dressed as Bill and Ben, Chris Chapelhow and Nikkie Thompson, were looking forward to their jaunt down the hill.

Ms Thompson said: “This really is a great day out and it does seem to bring the community together.

“Obviously we want to go out and win and everybody is already keeping an eye on the competition.”

As well as the flower pot duo, one team which created a big stir was Swan Lake who followed their crafted mechanical swan with a ballet performance.

Mark Harris, from the group, said we spent about one night a week over six months making it, we just want to go out now and have fun.