Teams of youngsters from east London are making a strong running at this-afternoon’s All London kids’ go-kart annual ‘grand prix’ being staged on the Isle of Dogs.

They have arrived at Mudchute city farm from all over London to knock bits of wood together, ready for the big 3pm race.

Leonora Surtees, daughter of the late motor racing legend John Surtees, is there to inspire the racing champs of tomorrow and to wave the chequered flag.

One team is waving their own flag for Tower Hamlets, the host borough, while two teams are competing from neighbouring Hackney where the Shakespeare Walk and Homerton Grove adventure playgrounds have ‘qualified’ to enter.

Other teams confirmed are from Islington, Southwark, Greenwich, Camden, Haringey, Lambeth and Merton.

Some have never even banged a nail in wood before, while others have rarely ventured beyond their postcode neighbourhoods.

But each has been given the tools, a pile of wood, some wheels and metal bits—and four hours to build a go-kart from scratch.

Construction started at 11am with the race set for 3pm, and all over by 4pm in either cheers or tears.