A SHROVE Tuesday pancake race has been saved after organisers agreed to a trial run at a new venue.

Organisers of the race in Bedale, North Yorkshire, said last week that the traditional event, staged for the past 35 years over 300 yards on the main road between the market cross and St Gregory's Church, would not go ahead this year.

The race appeared to have been scuppered when it was found that it would cost hundreds of pounds to make traffic management arrangements through a specialist company.

Public demand has brought a change of heart and last minute moves are being made to hold the race, which has attracted an average of 160 schoolchildren as well as adults for the past four years, off the road in Bedale Hall park in North End.

Organiser Peter Parlour said it had been decided to try the park as a venue for the first time after attempts to stage the race on cobbles controlled by Hambleton District Council in North End proved unsuccessful.

The race will be staged at 10am on Tuesday over a stretch of perimeter road at the top of the park next to the Bedale Golf Club course.

Mr Parlour said: ''There was a very sympathetic reaction from the public and a lot of people said they were sorry that the race was being cancelled. They said they were sad that such a tradition had to be hit on the head.

''People asked me why we did not try to give it a go on the park. I originally thought the race would lose its impetus and spectacle there, but unless we give it a try we will never know. There is no traffic to contend with there. With extra publicity it could prove successful.

''We are doing this in response to public demand and I hope that as many people as possible will make the effort to go up to the park.'' All three Bedale schools will have pupils taking part. Mr Parlour said: ''We have chosen the earlier starting time because it suits the schools, being after registration and one lesson, and does not cause too much disruption.'' Mr Parlour said he would be placing posters around the town and appealing in church on Sunday for people to make pancakes. It is hoped that the usual pancake coffee morning organised in the Chantry Hall by the Mothers' Union will go ahead.