THE pancakes may have been flat but the atmosphere certainly wasn’t at the annual Pancake Day races in Wimborne and Christchurch.

Outside the Minster church in Wimborne, competitors lined up with their frying pans, ready to race around the building and toss their pancakes at each corner.

Teams of children from Wimborne First School, Queen Elizabeth’s School and Beaucroft School all flew around the course at the toll of the bell, with Alex Binks from Beaucroft coming in first place.

Winner of the adult race was Philip Goymer, who claimed victory despite having recently recovered from a leg injury. He said it was the first time he had taken part in the race and was “over the moon” to win.

Top of the leader board in the toddler race was Alfie Thornton, while Enid Davies and Violet Carter, both in their 90s, drew first in the wheelchair race.

Race coordinator Anthony Oliver, along with his ‘pancake committee’, organised the event, now in its 19th year. It was the second earliest race since the event was relaunched in 1998.

“Once again, it’s been a huge success,” Mr Oliver said. “I don’t know that there were many onlookers but there was certainly a large number of runners, especially toddlers. The race was great fun and everybody enjoys coming. And luckily the weather stayed fine.”

The race also raised funds for the Mayor of Wimborne’s charities.

Meanwhile, at Christchurch Priory, 19 teams from businesses across Christchurch gathered in the cobbled streets for the annual Christchurch Food Festival pancake race.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Frederick Neale, was on hand to start the races and to make sure each team member did the compulsory three tosses of the pancake as they raced.

Several rounds of heats saw local chefs and staff from Penton Motor Group and Frettens Solicitors go head to head.

Vicki Hallam, chairman of the Food Festival committee, said: “Luckily the weather cleared up for us and we had a great fun atmosphere. There was a little bit of cheating going on, but it was all taken in good spirit.

“Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who took part and paid their entry fee to benefit the Festival charity, the Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust.”