The Pancake Races are not going ahead in Chippenham for the first time in 16 years.

The Shrove Tuesday tradition draws a crowd in the High Street and dates back to 1999.

Its organiser Emma King has been made redundant from her role as Chippenham Town Council's events manager.

And Chippenham Town Councillor Sandie Webb, who chairs the events committee, said the rest of the council was too busy preparing for a major Neeld Hall transformation this year.

David Dorey, assistant manager at Chippenham Community & Visitor Information Centre, said: “Unfortunately Chippenham Town Council will not be holding this event this year.”

Coun Webb said it was just a “one-off” and she hoped the pancake races would return next year after the Business Improvement District (BID) takes on responsibility for outdoor events.

Carolyn Brownell, Chippenham BID project manager, said: "There are already some really great events that happen in the town that we'd definitely want to be involved in. However it's very early stages so we can't talk about specific events just yet."

The pancake races were at the height of their popularity last year when there were a record number of 86 competitors, both adults and children. 2014 also saw the competition extended to businesses, with the new business cup going to 24-7 Staffing.

Mrs Webb said: “We are in the middle of the most amazing exciting period. We’re going to have a new community and arts venue, it’s going to be the heart of the town.

“Everyone is rather stretched getting everything prepared. There’s a little bit of a hiccup with the pancake races, there’s so much else going on.”

The town council hopes a £680,000 investment will transform the Neeld Hall into the town’s premier community and event venue.

It is planned the improved hall will reopen in October after a four-month closure, with new “theatre quality” retractable tiered seating, upgraded audio visuals and a separate bar room.