AS part of a tradition dating back almost half a century, children yesterday raced down a road clutching pancake-laden frying pans.

AS part of a tradition dating back almost half a century, children yesterday raced down a road clutching pancake-laden frying pans.

For residents of Hundon, near Haverhill, the annual pancake race is a key point in the village calendar.

Children from both the village primary and pre school took part in the race, which takes place over a 50m course outside the school in North Street.

A school spokeswoman told how the children brought in their own pancakes for the race. She said: “It is an annual event and has been going for 40 or 50 years. It is a village event.”

The annual race was originally managed by the Women's Institute but is now overseen by the school.

Suffolk police closed off North Street to traffic to ensure the safety of contestants.

Pancake facts:-

- Pancake Day - or Shrove Tuesday - is the day before Ash Wednesday - the first day of lent. Traditionally, families would use up their luxury foods like milk, sugar, eggs and butter before the 40 days of fasting began.

- Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday so the date varies from year to year and falls between February 3 and March 9.

- The word shrove comes from the old word “shrive”, which means to confess. In the Middle Ages people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before Lent began.

- Mardi Gras - literally “fat Tuesday” - is celebrated in places as diverse as new Orleans, Brazil and Australia.

- Traditionalists favour lemon juice and caster sugar on their pancakes but popular choices include golden and maple syrup, jam and chocolate.