CROWDS gathered in Chippenham High Street for the annual pancake races to celebrate Shrove Tuesday.

The fun started at 11.30am when adults and youngsters took part in a series of races up and down the High Street.

Angel Hotel chef Daniel Wyatt took first prize in the chefs' and caterers' class, while Rachel Halling-Brown and Martin Short, from legal firm Wood Awdry and Ford won both races for companies and organisations.

Plaques and non-stick frying pans were presented to the winners by Chippenham Mayor Richard Meek.

Wood Awdry and Ford also raised £140 through sponsorship and will be donating the money to Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

"There was a good crowd of spectators all along the High Street and the atmosphere was terrific", said Mr Short.

The winner of the fancy dress race was Joanne Tanner, of Concept Staffing, and the victor in the children's race was Samantha Anscombe, of Wiltshire College Pre-school. The second children's race was won by Charlie Howe, of Acorn Pre-school.

Meanwhile, youngsters at the Leapfrog Day Nursery, in Chippenham, also enjoyed the spirit of the occasion.

More than 60 children enjoyed making and eating pancakes and about 20 took part in pancake races in the playground.

Nursery manager Michelle Fernandez said the children enjoyed their Pancake Day and the staff made sure none of the pancakes went to waste.

In Swindon, football fan Phil Blundell created a pancake in the shape of the FA Cup.

Mr Blundell, 33, a loyal Arsenal fan, of Woodhall Park, works as the chef de partie at the Nationwide Building Society's headquarters in the town.

He struck on the idea for Shrove Tuesday because Nationwide has been involved in a campaign for fans from around the country to send in FA Cup shapes made from weird materials.