Age Concern Wiltshire brought its 60th anniversary year to a resounding close with a huge turnout for its pancake races in Devizes Market Place on Tuesday.

The east side of the square was cordoned off for the races in which local people of all ages sprinted along the course, tossing their pancakes as they went.

Because this year’s races coincided with the half-term holidays, there were more mums and kids taking part than in previous years.

There were some colourful costumes in the adult races, especially from the Old Tyme Music Hall entry, but the first race was won by the doughty hacks from the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, comprising editor Gary Lawrence, sports editor Owen Houlihan, sports reporter Dan Barnes and advertising rep Darren Jones.

The Crammer Court Quackers, Mikey’s Barbershop Boys and the Brown Family Team were the other finalists and the barbershop quartet – Craig Daykin, Graeme Lawton, Martin Bills and Ryan Lynch – shaded it to take the top prize from the Gazette, who ended second for the second year running.

If there had been a prize for the most courageous entry, it most certainly would have gone to the Sudweeks Court team, with a combined age of 329 years.

The team members were Mary Hardwick, Ted Roche, Roy Baxter and Doreen Read.

Liddy Davidson, director of Age Concern Wiltshire, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, told the crowd: “This is the last day of our 60th anniversary appeal and we are very grateful to the good people of Wiltshire for all their support.

“But although the campaign is over, we are not going away. We will be here for you at all times.”

Results: Children’s races: 12 and under - Joe Taylor; 7 and 8 year olds - Oliver Smalley; under-six - Thomas Lambert. Fancy dress: Allison Davis (Rubik’s Cube) Mobility race: Ken Garfoot.

Final (adult races): 1. Barbershop Boys; 2. Gazette & Herald; 3. Brown Family.

Pancake eating competition: Adult winner - Jack Case; children’s winner: Emily Ryan.