ALTON’S traditional pancake race attracted a lively field of competitors to the Public Gardens on Tuesday with costumed children, pancake-flipping adults, and enthusiastic supporters enjoying the crisp, bright winter morning sprints through the park.

Organised by Alton Town Council’s community and events manager, Emily-Jane Messenger, the event attracted 60 individuals and four teams who battled it out for certificates and prizes, followed by free pancakes cooked in the park by members of the Greater Alton Project.

Even East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds paid a visit with his young family, taking a supportive role with one of his children in the toddlers’ race.

Alton town crier Stan Whitcher was there with his bell to start the races, while the judges – town mayor Pam Jones, event sponsor Faye Bobillier, and the Reverend David Hinks – were waiting at the finish line to congratulate the participants and hand out stickers.

There were prizes for each of the five race category winners and additional prizes for the best-dressed adult and child. While many of them were from Alton and the surrounding villages, others were visiting grandparents and came from as far afield as Southsea, Guildford, and Eastleigh.

James Vick won the pre-school category ahead of Noah Sherridan, Isabella Jackson fended off the challenge of Pablo Cheshire and William Johnston in the under-eights race, Matt Jeffrey won the under-16s category ahead of Isaac Bramley and Brooke Hargate, and Nick Twining was the first adult to cross the line.

In the team relay, the Sainsbury’s team of Will, Billy, Hugo, Lawrence, Paul, Dan, Ollie edged Absolute Healthcare from Four Marks (Bethany, Louise, Matt, Rhiannon, Katie, Jolene, Suzanna, Daisy) into second place with Tangled Swashbucklers (Lisa, Carenza, Ollie, Cerys, Denise, Myah)in third.

Prizes for the best-dressed competitor, awarded by the mayor, went to two-year-old Alice Wilkinson who was dressed as a bumble bee, with Mandy Wilson picking up the adult prize in her pink Cancer Research outfit.

Mayor Mrs Jones said: “Tuesday’s pancake race was a delightful community event which was very well supported by the people of Alton. I had great fun joining in the first race with the pre-school children, which brought back fond memories of when I was a school teacher having taken part in many a sports day during my time.

“It was a great honour to help judge the races with Rev Hinks and Ms Bobillier and I found choosing the best-dressed child particularly difficult with so many wonderful costumes on display.”

Thanks were expressed to all those who joined in and supported the event, in particular the Greater Alton Project church members for their pancakes, Faye Bobillier, owner of Toy Shed and Sweet Chocolate who generously donated all the prizes, and Lisa Hillan from Four Marks Rotary Club for volunteering to help co-ordinate the event.