After a successful first event last year, the Darwen Pedal Car Grand Prix returns on Sunday, July 10.

Race organiser Coun Phil Jones of Darwen Town Council, which is funding the event, said that more than 14 teams were signed up.

He said: “We have slightly changed the track layout this year, and each team now has five pedallers instead of four, which should mean that they don’t get as tired and the race is more competitive.

“This year it should be bigger and more fast-flowing.”

The winner is the team that completes the most number of laps in the streets around Darwen Market between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Four children’s pushbikes from Darwen Recycling Centre were broken down into wheels, gears, handlebars, pedals and brake levers by a group of 11 engineering students aged between 16 and 19 from Training 2000 to make ‘Janus 4’.

The design, project-management and build of the pedal car has been used as their end-of-year NVQ engineering apprentice project.

Beth Douglas, engineering instructor at Training 2000, told how the apprentices had created their car.

She said: ““This is a great project for our apprentices because it encourages them to learn in a fun and interactive way.

“They have to problem-solve, learn to work within a team, research designs, source products and build prototypes and models – all vital skills required by employers.

“They have also managed the build and presented their ideas to their companies to generate funding for the project.”

The apprentices, who are raising money for Cancer Research UK, are employed by nuclear firms across the North West, including Sellafield, Babcock Nuclear and Nuvia and Apeks Marine in Blackburn.

Rules state that vehicles must be four-wheeled single seaters, no wider than 1.25m and longer than 2m.

Mayor Paul Browne will conduct a prize giving ceremony when the event has ended.

* The Darwen Pedal Car Grand Prix takes place in the town centre on Sunday, July 10. The race runs from 1.30pm and 3.30pm.