The first annual Ilkley Rotary Pancake Race brought some flipping good fun to central shopping street The Grove on Shrove Tuesday.

Schools and businesses battled it out with their frying pans in what organiser Ilkley Rotary Club hopes will eventually be an annual tradition.

Crowds lined The Grove to cheer on the runners as they raced along the road clutching their frying pans.

Runners were required to sprint along the street, flip their pancake over at a marked point – watched closely by marshals – then make the dash for the finish line.

Dozens of winners from the heats at primary schools and independent schools in Ilkley and Burley raced in the finals, and Ilkley Grammar School students ran in fancy dress.

The biggest race of the day was the hotly-contested adult race, with teams of two entered by Ilkley businesses and churches.

Throwing down the gauntlet to Yorkshiremen for next year’s race was the winner, Lancashire-born Gary Mills, of Ilkley firm Rosteel Ltd, who raced in a full Burnley FC strip.

He set the fastest time of the day, completing the course in 16.74 seconds.

Also competing was Gazette & Observer Editor Malcolm Hoddy, and chief reporter Jonathan Redhead.

Minister of Christchurch, the Rev Rob Hilton, raced in purple, green and gold and a carnival mask, to coincide with the church’s Mardi Gras celebrations over the weekend.

Ilkley Rotary Club hopes to establish the races as an annual community event, following the lead of longer-running races in Ripon and Buckinghamshire market town Olney.

Rotarians were also out collecting donations for the international Thanks For Life – End Polio Now campaign.

Organiser David Lowe said: “It’s gone very well. We’re delighted by the response we’ve had and by the enthusiasm of the children. We’re also very grateful that so many people have come in fancy dress, which has made it a very happy event.”

Each competitor was presented with a chocolate gold medallion for taking part, and winners were presented with an official pancake race T-shirt.