SHROVE Tuesday saw dozens of residents take to the streets of a South Lakes village to celebrate the occasion with a special tradition.

Pancake racing is one of the main highlights of the year for Troutbeck village, near Windermere, and it is an event which has been running annually for nearly 20 years.

Guest town crier Tony Legge had donned his tricorn hat, green coat and bell to start the races.

His wife, Lesley Legge, who helped to organise the event, described pancake racing as a ‘wonderful community gathering’. She said: “It’s important for us to keep doing events like these as it helps to keep the village community alive. It’s great to see everybody get together and having a great time.”

Despite the gloomy weather many entrants turned up to take part in the competitions, ranging from veterans and the hotly-contested hotel race. In the men’s race Les Bradley was the clear winner with Conor Jackson hot on his heels in second place.

It was a close call in the women’s race with Jean Whaley creeping home in first place and Amber Shankland and Victoria Mathers, who both work at Broadoaks Country House Hotel, crossing the line in joint second place.

Mrs Legge, who also made the pancakes for the special day, said that many helped by making hot cross buns and home-made cheese scones. Generous prizes, such as wine and luxury chocolates, were also donated and were given to the winners.

One prize included the Rosemary Hopwood Trophy, a cup which was named in memory of the late Rosemary Hopwood who founded the pancake races along with fellow villagers.