PANCAKE racers in North Yorkshire’s county town will be flipping for a local cause next month.

The Shrove Tuesday contest in Northallerton will see staff from stores, businesses and other organisations race to the finish line brandishing frying pans. There will also be children’s races.

The event, which was reinstated in 2010 by local food firm Lewis & Cooper, is this year supported by Northallerton & District Round Table, Northallerton Retail and Business Forum, Bettys, Sam Turner and Sons, Colin Hutson Accounting and Northallerton Town Council.

Flipping a pancake all the way, runners will attempt to stay on a course on the town’s Applegarth playing fields on February 9. Money raised will go to the Friarage Hospital’s MRI Scanner Appeal.

Spectators are welcome and the runners should assemble at 10.30am.

The race covers just over 50m – equivalent to the distance between the town hall and market cross, where the race used to be run in years gone by.

As well as prizes for the children, there will also be awards for the first man and woman over the line, the top flipper, best fancy dress and three-legged winners.

Entrants for the main race simply need to turn up on the day – with their own frying pan –in return for a donation of at least £1.

For more information about the event, contact info@shopnorthallerton.org.