IT is a toss up who should get top billing at Lyme Regis’ Great Christmas Pudding Race on Saturday.

There’s a choice of the Queen, Prince Phillip, their corgis, reindeers Cupid and Snowflake, a Scots piper, Peppa Pig, Santa or civic dignitaries.

They will all be there for the extraordinary extravaganza that will involve cross-dressing cheerleaders, zumba keep-fit, fireworks, mince pie eating competitions, a Christmas market and, of course, the pudding race itself.

Teams will hurtle over obstacles, through foam baths and on bouncy castles with their Mr Potato Head-topped puddings.

And the nine teams will be immortalised on a YouTube video on the seafront to send a seasonal greeting to Lyme lovers and former residents wherever they are in the world.

Geoff Baker, one of the organisers, said: “We want to film Lyme shouting Merry Christmas to all those we love.

“It can be everybody’s and anybody’s message to the town’s friends and family around the world.

“And as hundreds will be on the seafront this year for the pudding race, it’s the ideal occasion for festive filming.”

The pudding race fun is on from 11am to 4pm on the Marine Parade with all profits going to Cancer Research UK.

The day’s events will end with a fireworks display funded by the Cobb traders.

The day starts with the official opening by Lyme’s ‘Queen’ and ‘Prince Philip’, Franny Allen and Chris Boothroyd, who will be accompanied by a Scottish piper, at around 12.30pm.

Civic guests visiting the town at the invitation of Mayor Sally Holman, will be introduced to the ‘royal couple’ before the pudding racers set off at 1pm.

Coun Holman said: “It will be a real fun start to my civic day and a chance to show my civic guests what Lyme has to offer out of the main season.”

Father Christmas will be accompanied by live reindeer and cartoon character Peppa Pig will attempt the obstacle course before the race.

Teams will be warmed up by Zumba instructor Nicky Sweetland and entertainment will be provided by local singer Ben Kapur, Nomad and Mary and the recently reformed Lyme Regis Junior Band.

It is not only the teams who are in training – The Mongerettes, the eight-strong cheerleader support squad of The Mongers team, led by Lyme fishmonger Simon Bennett and cheesemonger Justin Tunstall.

The pom-pom pudding girls, captained by Lyme residents Jill Newton and Sharon Gill, are, says Mongers manager Geoff Baker, his team’s secret weapon.