IT WAS a very cold, wet and windy afternoon on Tuesday when competitors came to take part in the annual Chippenham pancake races, for what could be the last time.

Sarah Raines-Watling, among many others, had come with her children, Daisy, seven, and William, two. She said: “The children love this and we’ve been before. It’s good that Chippenham has this sort of thing happening.”

Daisy, who went on to win the children’s event, said: “It’s great fun and I love it. I helped my little brother run last year too.”

Mel Barnett, part of the Chippenham Museum team, said: “We’re running to promote the Goldiggers Exhibition at the museum and we’re here to win and beat the Street Pastors who won last year. Not that we’re competitive.”

Winner of the adult race, Jack Head, 18, an apprentice with John Williams, said: “It’s the first time I’ve entered and I have to say it’s a lot of fun.”

Lynsey Nichols, communications and customer service manager for Chippenham Town Council said: “This is the first year the council has taken the lead on the event as funding for events such as this, the soapbox derby and the carnival will no longer be available from March.

"The pancake races are a light touch event, a bit of silly fun that anyone can come and take part in.”

Manager of the Business Improvement District Kathryn Crosweller said: “It will be a real shame for the town if we lose so many of these family fun events as they bring the community together.

We’ve come to end of funding, which has run for the past five years, as 53% of businesses voted against the funding continuing opposed to 47% who supported it.”

The final word has to go to Daisy: “We’ve had a great time and winning was really good.”

More than 190 children from Saint Edmund’s Primary School in Calne took part in obstacle pancake races. The children competed in their house groups, St Francis, Joan of Arc, Oscar Romero and St Teresa, to complete the course as many times as possible.

Pacey, 10, said: “It was a good obstacle course because it was challenging. You had to be speedy but careful to complete all the challenges as well as flip the pancake at certain points.”

Charlotte, nine, said: “It was fun racing each other. Everyone was cheering and that made everyone want to complete as many laps as possible.”

Headteacher Kathryn Moore said: "Pupils asked family and friends to sponsor them and money is still coming in. So far over £750 has been raised which will be put towards updating curriculum resources.

“We are delighted to have raised so much money to support our school and are grateful to families and friends for supporting us."