Children carrying frying pans and pancakes dashed along Lime Tree Avenue at the Public Gardens to celebrate Shrove Tuesday in Alton Town Council’s annual Pancake Race.

Town crier Dave Parsons started the races, deputy town clerk Hayley Carter ensured the competitors made it to the start line and recorded the results, and town clerk Tom Horwood was there to help cheer on the children.

Spectators warmed themselves up on a sunny but cold day with hot drinks and pancakes from Capra Espresso. They could add banana, strawberry, blueberry, chocolate spread or maple syrup to their traditional sugar and lemon pancakes.

The top three in each heat won a first, second or third place sticker, the top three in each final were awarded a gold, silver or bronze sticker, and the winner of each final received a prize.

The results of the finals were:

Nutella (Pre-school) - 1st William, 2nd Lara, 3rd Noah.

Lemon and Sugar (Years R to 2) - 1st John, 2nd Harry, 3rd Anu and Austin.

Strawberries (Years 3 to 6) - 1st Lottie, 2nd Iona, 3rd Poppy.

Maple Syrup (Relay) - 1st The Potatoes, 2nd Pancake Robots.

Alton town mayor Cllr Annette Eyre could not pick a winner from the “amazing” fancy dress entrants - Spider-Man, Dog Man, Pirate, Lamb, Chicken, Skeleton and Dragon - so each of them went home with a prize.

Cllr Eyre, who also presented the prizes to the race winners, praised the turnout and sportsmanship.

She said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all participants and winners for their remarkable efforts, and a big thank you to everyone involved in putting the event together and helping on the day.”