Pancake Day fever hits Chippenham town centre

Many people and businesses attended the Chippenham annual pancake race in the market place this morning. 

Local people arrived at the market place with their frying pans and pancakes in an attempt to win this year's race before tucking into fresh pancakes at Chippenham town hall. 

There was lots of fun to be had with musical entertainment and plenty of pancake tossing.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Chippenham hosted the event alongside members of Chippenham Town Council.

Town Mayor, Councillor Andy Phillips said: "I think it went very very well and especially with the cold weather. It was great seeing many youngsters taking part and nice too that the chefs from some of the local establishments also came out to take part."

The race took place from the top end of the market place to the bottom with competitors running while trying to flip their pancakes as high as they could. 

The Chippenham annual pancake race has been a tradition in the town which has brought adults and young people together joining in with the festivities Pancake Day brings.

"It's always been popular and I hope it continues to be so. It brings people into the town especially in the mid week and it brings people together. Any event like this helps to create a better community spirit," Councillor Andy Phillips added. 

Pancake Day marks the beginning of lent which lasts forty days and forty nights. 

Other Wiltshire towns such as Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon also joined in the fun by hosting their own pancake races.