FLIPPIN’ heck - the town pancake races are back again, and this time they’ll be ‘batter’ than ever!

After missing out last year due to the pandemic, Ross-on-Wye will be celebrating pancake day two days before Shrove Tuesday with races in the town centre on Sunday, February 27.

The organisation of the event was taken over from the Association of Ross Traders by Ross Lions and Rotary Clubs in time for the February 2020 race, before pancake capers were scuppered by the pandemic in 2021.

But now they are set to return, with races from 12pm in Broad Street, which will be closed to traffic, and registration at Market House from 11am.

Entry forms are available to print off on the town council’s Facebook page or from Caffe Eleganza, Gelatis and the Ross-on-Wye Lions Club CIO charity shop on Gloucester Road, but entries can also be made on the day.

There will be races for toddlers, children aged 5-7, 8-10 and 11-16, adult men and women and teams of four, plus prizes for fancy dress sponsored by Gelatis and The Royal Hotel.

There will be certificates and prizes for the winners, and the winning team will also receive a Grand Pancake Trophy.

Pancakes and frying pans will be provided and fancy dress is optional.

Pancake day itself on Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent, the start of the traditional Christian fast, when stores of dairy products were used up in the mix so they didn’t go to waste.