Birdmen will take to the skies - briefly - in Ilfracombe

GRAVITY and the Wurzels will be the stars of the show for the human powered flying machines of the South West Birdman competition as it returns to Ilfracombe on the first Sunday in August. Enthusiastic contestants will be attempting to beat the odds as th

GRAVITY and the Wurzels will be the stars of the show for the human powered flying machines of the South West Birdman competition as it returns to Ilfracombe on the first Sunday in August.

Enthusiastic contestants will be attempting to beat the odds as they "fly" from the Pier using an assortment of feather-brained aviation assistors from home made wings to underpants!

The charity event is one of the major fund raisers for Ilfracombe Round Table and will be held on Sunday, August 2 from 11am-8pm.

There will be plenty to see and do before and after the birdmen take centre stage, with live music throughout the day with the famous Wurzels headlining the show.

Escapologist Merlin Cadogan will also be performing and there will be fairground rides, stalls, magic shows, a barbecue and displays by the Taw and Torridge Classic Bike Club.

Birdman contestants will be donning fancy dress, strapping on their flying machines and raising as much money for charity as they can.

But for anyone with an aeronautical engineer on hand, there is an elusive distance prize to aim for too.

"Not only does South West Birdman bring a large number of visitors into the town, but all the proceeds go towards local good causes," said organiser Mark Pearce of the Round Table.

"It has in fact become one of the biggest and best Birdman events in the UK!"

Anyone who wants to have a go at "flying" for charity can download an entry pack www.ilfracomberoundtable.co.uk and see photos from previous years.