BRING a dusty old prop of pantomime theatre to life by crafting a whacky horse to enter in a charity race along Colchester’s High Street.

Plans for the town’s first annual pantomime horse race have moved a step closer.

With more than 20 competitors in a range of weird and wonderful costumes set to sprint down the High Street, organisers with Age Concern Colchester are urging more challenge-seekers to take up the call.

The humourous event celebrates classic props of theatre to remind visitors of the importance of looking after the older generation.

The charity hopes to encourage Colchester to think about old age in a different way, while bringing a taste of the Grand National to the town.

Now Jonathan Moore, the charity’s chief executive and race secretary, has released a handy ‘how to’ video to assist in crafting a pantomime horse.

He hopes the video will help persuade potential competitors who are on the fence about entering the races.

For those who wish to race in a costume depicting a different animal, an ‘oddities’ category has now been announced.

Expect to see the strangest costumes in this separate race.

Although there is the freedom to sculpt your horse by any means possible, Mr Moore recommends using easy-to-find items like yoghurt pots, tennis balls and duct tape to cobble together a race-worthy steed.

Charities, schools, businesses and individuals can enter a horse in the race.

“It is really easy to do and a lot of fun,” he said.

“The first thing you need to do is grab some stuff you may well have about the place, or a couple of things from a pound shop.

“The first thing to start off with is a rubble sack.

“Then you want a piece of cardboard around the size of a cornflake box and cut into the shape of a horse’s head, shoved inside the sack.

“Blow up a few balloons and stuff them inside as a filler, leaving enough room for your head to fit.

“Use postal tape to wrap around the horse’s head repeatedly.

“That holds the bag and balloons in shape.

“On that brown tape you apply, stage by stage, paper mache until it is nice and tough.

“It should then stand up on its own and fit on your head.

“The next stage is to get the piece of material you want to cover the horse in, and put it over the top of the paper mache.

“Using a needle and thread and pin it in round the head.

“You then want to give the horse a bit of character.

“You can use tennis balls or plastic balls, spray them white and create the eyes and sew them on, or use chopped up old yoghurt pots and spray them black as some eyebrows.

“An old kitchen mop works for the hair on the horses head.

“There are a number of ways to do the ears, I stuck on pieces of cardboard and covered them in the same material I used for the head.

“You can go ultra-sophisticated and make a mouth.

“I cut through the paper mache to form the mouth and stuck in a red sock as a tongue.

“I used fleece material to cover the horse, but that could be a mistake if it is very hot on the day.”

He added: “The final thing everyone must do is give their horse a name, and enter it in the Auld Nag’s Folly pantomime horse race on September 17.

“We are really gearing up for a wonderful day of silly races, fun and entertainment.”

The High Street will be closed throughout the day while the races are held, with stalls and live entertainment also on offer.

To request an entry form to enter a horse in the races, contact Mr Moore at jonathan.moore@ageconcerncolchester.org.uk or on 01206 368420.