​It may not be much of a threat to the likes of Lily Allen or Duffy, but a new song is set to take Cheltenham by storm.

From March, pubs and clubs across the town will resound to a classic especially re-written to celebrate its horse racing heritage.

The line-up isn’t exactly Live Aid, but Clare Balding, Paul Nicholls, Andy Stewart and John McCririck, among others, will sing the revamped version of Petula Clark’s 1964 hit Downtown.

About 20 others from the racing world have agreed to join them on the charity single, which will also have a video and dance remix.

Another 20 will be approached shortly, including Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, JP McManus, Willie Mullins, Richard Johnson, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jonjo O’Neil and Nick Gifford.

Andy Clifton, Prestbury Park’s communications manager, said they were approached two months ago about the plans.

“It’s a fantastic idea. It’s great that it’s got the support of lots of racing figures and hopefully it will raise some money for charity. It’s great fun and we’re completely behind it,” he said.

“It’s such an iconic tune that you can envisage it being sung around the pubs and clubs of Cheltenham in Festival week and the whole town will be singing it.”

Masterminding the project is Richard Gurney, an occasional golfing partner of racing author John Francome.

Downtown’s writer Tony Hatch has given his seal of approval and played his part by tweaking the lyrics.

Mr Gurney said Cheltenham will be released as a download and as a CD. A second version will be mixed for nightclubs.

“We’ll release it the week before the Cheltenham Festival and, with support from everyone in racing, I’m sure we can get this into the top ten,” he told the Racing Post.

“I’m told that with 100,000 downloads/sales in one week, particularly in March, we’ll be in the top five.”

Mr McCririck, who described Downtown as one of the “truly iconic” hits of his lifetime, said he was rehearsing in his bath.

“This is a terrific idea for charity and I hope the whole of racing gets behind it. I was never much of a singer and didn’t made the cut for the school choir, but I’ll be giving this my all,” he said.

Having arranged charity leases in the past for three Grand National runners – Over The Deal, Joe White and Buck Rogers – Mr Gurney is no stranger to fundraising activities. Over those years we made £930,000 for good causes and this time we can raise a considerable sum for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, Racing Welfare and the Riding for the Disabled Association.

“The idea struck me as I left Cheltenham last year following Ladbrokes Wold Hurdle day. There was a terrific atmosphere and, admittedly after a few drinks, I started singing Downtown. I changed that for Cheltenham and it worked. Tony Hatch has been brilliant with his support.”

He added at one stage there was a chance 77-year-old Petula Clark would come out of retirement to sing. However, her office had informed him she won’t.

Mr Hatch, also famous for the theme tunes to Crossroads and Neighbours, said: “I’m happy to support this venture because it’s in the name of charity,” he said. “Quite how it will work with Downtown being two syllables and Cheltenham being three, I’m not sure, but it’s for a good cause.”

Here are the lyrics:

Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Cheltenham.