BUMPER crowds are expected to line the streets of New Milton this weekend for the return of the popular Pedal Car Grand Prix.

The event, which alternates between Ringwood and New Milton each year, will see entrants race down the high street on Sunday afternoon.

This year sees the merger with New Milton Town Show, meaning there will be entertainment and activities also taking place on Saturday in the town.

The first day of the event is set to include hundreds of classic cars on display alongside new cars from eight local distributors.

Liam Geary, race director of this year’s grand prix, said: “We are all ready to go now.

“The event is over two days this weekend after we merged with the town show.

“On Saturday there will be a lot of music and stalls.

“We will have the same on Sunday, with the racing in the afternoon.

“The event gives people in the area something to come out and see. It is a good day for all the family.”

The organising team are expecting almost 30 entrants in the grand prix, which has become an established summer event in the New Forest calendar. Ringwood first hosted its pedal car event in 1989, with New Milton joining the action in the early 2000s, therefore making this year the 30th anniversary of the racing spectacle.

“We have a couple of new entries this year alongside some of our regulars,” added Mr Geary.

“We always get a few new ones who serve up something a bit crazy.”

Mr Geary, 20, started his affiliation with the event as a competitor while he was at school and now leads the organising this year.

“I first got involved in the pedal car grand prix when I was 14, racing with the team from Ringwood School,” said Mr Geary. “I then became involved in the committee a couple of years ago and now I am race director.”

The grand prix racing gets underway at 2pm on Sunday and is set to run for two hours.

Pedal cars will be on display at the recreation ground in Whitefield Road from 11am, with warm ups and testing taking place from 1pm.

Entertainment away from the racing takes place at the recreation ground and throughout the town centre on both days from 11am to 4.30pm.