THIS year’s Shrove Tuesday pancake race in Trowbridge is set to be the biggest yet, with hundreds of people expected to line the streets to watch.

The competition will be tougher than ever – as a new race between the businesses at St Stephen’s Place Leisure Park is one of five organised for the day.

The individual races for men, women and children and the relay race, are free to enter for the public or businesses and the Wiltshire Times will be among teams lining up to toss.

Trowbridge Town Council’s community development officer Maryrose Mantle, who organises the event, said she expects the turnout to be larger than usual as it is also half term.

She said: “We are hoping for the biggest turnout yet, especially for the children’s race. Depending on how many we get, we may have to have two races.

“Shrove Tuesday has not fallen on a holiday for quite a long time and it’s a lot earlier this year, which is ideal, so hopefully we will have big crowds cheering everyone on.

“We have lots of businesses interested in taking part and even if they can’t let four members of staff have time off to take part in the relay race, they are entering someone for the individual races.

“There is also a new race between the businesses at St Stephen’s Place. They are all determined to win and display the frying pan award we have ready for the winner.”

Registration is at Fore Street at 10am and the first race starts at 10.30am.

Mrs Mantle added: “It’s competitive but friendly event as there is no way anyone can take a pancake race too seriously.”