PANCAKE lovers in North Yorkshire are being encouraged to have a 'flipping' good time at Shrove Tuesday events in the region.

Northallerton will host a Shrove Tuesday race on February 28 that will see staff from stores, businesses and organisations across the town run a course brandishing frying pans.

Flipping a pancake all the way, runners will race on a course on the town’s Applegarth playing fields.

Spectators are welcome and the runners should assemble at 10am, with the main traders’ race following the children’s contests which start at about 10.30am.

Money raised will go to Naomi’s Fight for Life Fund, supporting national charity Brain Tumour Research.

The fund was set up by oncology nurse Lucy Savage after her daughter Naomi was diagnosed with a tumour aged just four in 2007.

Event organiser Julie Hutson, from Colin Hutson Accounting, said: “The races have become fixed in the town’s calendar and are a fun way of encouraging some friendly competition among the traders while raising some funds for an important cause.

“It’s also lovely to see the fun had by the schoolchildren on the day.”

Residents and visitors to Ripon can also enjoy some Shrove Tuesday fun with the annual pancake races starting on the toll of the Lent Bell at Ripon Cathedral at 11am.

Races will start from the front of the cathedral to the end of Kirkgate with schools in Ripon and the surrounding area being invited along with local companies, charities, organisations and emergency services.

The 21 Royal Engineers Regiment will be supporting the event by setting up a field kitchen at the front of the cathedral to cook and serve pancakes with any donations going to the Soldiers Charity.

To enter a team, email bernardb@icdtravel.com or call 01765 640362.