Get ready to flip

Hundreds of people expected to gather in Newbury Market Place later for the annual pancake race

GET your frying pans at the ready and prepare to toss pancakes in Newbury to celebrate Shrove Tuesday today!

Newbury is preparing itself for the annual pancake race in the town centre from noon.

Teams of four will take each other on in the Market Place, tossing their pancake at designated points and racing back to the starting point, cheered on by spectators.

The event, organised by the Newbury and District branch of Soroptomist International of Great Britain and Ireland, is one of the most popular events in Newbury's calendar.

Three awards are up for grabs - Newbury Pancake Champions for 2011, the Best Dressed Team for 2011 and Pancake Tosser of the Year!

Funds raised from the event will go to the Alzheimer's Society West Berkshire, the charity that Soroptimist International Newbury & District is supporting this year.

The races will be followed by pancake lunches in St Nicolas Church Hall from 12.15pm.

Your choice of two pancakes with savoury/vegetarian fillings, salad garnish and/or lemon and sugar with a cup of tea or coffee will all be available for £5.

For all the thrills and spills, log back on to Newburytoday.co.uk later on.