REVELLERS at Chippenham’s pancake races had a flippin’ good time as children, adults and business owners took to the streets to take home the coveted trophy.

As the races started, the sound of cheering and laughter echoed down Chippenham High Street on Shrove Tuesday, as 30 children, four adults and nine businesses took to the pancake flipping challenge, all of which were supplied by Sarah-Jayne’s Cafe.

The children’s heats were well competed, with five winners going head to head in the final race, which was eventually won by eight-year-old Joshua Thompson.

Sukie Headley, followed in her children’s footsteps and won the adults race against Councillor John Scragg, while Chippenham Street Pastors snuck past The Angel Hotel and seven other businesses in the highly competitive business relay race.

Kathryn Crosweller, of Chippenham Connected, said: “This was a true community event, and it brought smiles to the faces of everyone that took part.

“It was the sort of thing that makes us proud to be part of this town.”

Eight-year-old Robert Patient won the flipping competition with a grand total of 23 flips, while the adults had 60 flips.

Councillor Sandie Webb, leader of Chippenham Town Council, added: “It is a great tradition to enjoy Pancake Day in the centre of Chippenham with a huge variety of people getting together for the races.

“Despite the weather, it was an extremely well organised and entertaining event demonstrating the great community spirit that exists in our town.”

Last week, the team at Chippenham Pit Stop crew stepped in to save the day for St Nicholas School children, who missed out on the chance to flip their pancakes due to the half term.

Instead, the truckers invited the children, who have special needs, up to the restaurant just off Junction 17 of the M4, so that the pupils could enjoy Shrove Tuesday in advance.