It was our first ever Pancake Olympics and the pressure was on to do our best against stiff competition from experienced teams including Boyes, Matalan and the Crown Spa Hotel.

Everyone was off like a shot, trying to run as fast as possible and flip their pancake three times en route before handing it to the next team member.

Ben was at the back of the group as he ran the 60 yard course along the precinct but I was still feeling positive thanks to the fantastic atmosphere and the cheers from the crowd.

Ben handed me the pan relay-style and after three flips I was off, but even though I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, the other teams were far ahead and I crossed the line in last place!

Teams that made it through the heats into the final were the Royal Hotel, Boyes, the Crown Spa Hotel, St Catherine’s Hospice and Right 4 Staff.

After Right 4 Staff’s runner took a tumble at the changeover, the other teams battled it out on the home run, with Boyes sprinting to victory and claiming the trophy from last year’s winners the Crown Spa Hotel.

Boyes’ staff Nick Atkinson and Martin Hadrick, both aged 20, were delighted to win the race. Mr Hadrick said: “Boyes won a couple of years ago so it’s good to get it back again. We hope to be back next year!”

Chris Golder, manager of the Queen Street store, said the trophy would take pride of place in the tea room.

The crowds also snapped up free eggs from Rebecca Brown, of Brown Eggs based at Redcliffe Farm, Lebberston. Mrs Brown said: “We must have given away 100 half dozen boxes of eggs and recipes for pancakes.”

Julie Hird, 38, a nurse, of Kingsway, watched the races with her sons Lewis, 9, and Alex, 5, and her nephew Jacob, 11, and niece Lydia, 7. She said: “The kids are really enjoying the races – it’s the first time we’ve been to watch.”

Meral Dawe, 30, a community police officer, of Norwood Street, said: “I’ve been skipping every year since I was little. These events really bring people together – it’s like Christmas!”

Wendy Pedley, 33, of Spring Bank, brought along three children she was childminding.

She said: “The children are loving watching people run past really fast – it’s great.”