Flippin' Windsor and Eton Pancake Challenge 2010

Put down your pen, pick up a pan – and join the race to see who's batter!

That's the challenge to Windsor and Eton businesses as the Royal Borough this year revives the ancient tradition of pancake racing with a dash to the finish across Windsor and Eton bridge on Shrove Tuesday

The heat will be on as teams of four line up at three different venues across the town to race relay-fashion along the 50-metre course, tossing their pancakes three times to a minimum height of three feet as they compete for top honours and a shiny frying pan trophy.

And it will be no use crying over spilt milk (or even dropped pancakes!) as competitors who "fail to flip" successfully will have to stop and retrieve their pancake before continuing the race.

Teams are encouraged to don the traditional pancake racing gear of the 15th-century housewife – skirt, apron, headscarf and frying pan (with no concessions for male participants!) – and there will be prizes for the best-dressed team.

Organised by the Windsor and Eton Town Partnership and sponsored by Windsor Royal Shopping and King Edward Court shopping centres, the proceeds from the race will go towards Thames HospiceCare and the Windsor and Eton Christmas Lights Appeal.

Paul Roach, Windsor and Eton Town Manager, said: "This is not eggs-actly the Olympics, but it should be a really fun event to raise money for a good cause if local businesses respond to the challenge. So come on everyone – get in training to make sure your team doesn't take a real battering!"

Entry forms and race packs can be collected from the Royal Windsor Information Centre, Old Booking Hall, Windsor Royal Shopping, Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1PJ and returned there together with the entry fee of £40 and any individual sponsorship monies.