Youngsters battle it out in hotly-contested annual pancake race

Held for the first time since 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Swaffham Lions Pancake Races finally took place again on Tuesday (March 1) afternoon.

Tilly Martin, 11, from Nicholas Hamond Academy, taking part in the Swaffham Pancake Races (Image: Archant)

Sadly, the reigning champions, Sacred Heart School, were unable to take part due to staff shortages.

That meant it was down to pupils from the Nicholas Hamond Academy and Swaffham CE Primary Academy to battle it out on Shrove Tuesday.

Tilly Martin and Heidi Arkell took part in the Swaffham Pancake Races (Image: Archant)

Due to cold, wet weather, the racing took place indoors at the town's Assembly Rooms.

Eight teams of two competed against each other in hotly-contested races, and it was a pair from Swaffham Primary who narrowly beat the team from Hamond's to emerge victorious in a three-leg final showdown.

Swaffham pancake race winners Tommy Jeary and Keiron Bartram-Doolan with headteacher Mrs Kaye (Image: Archant)

They were presented with the much-coveted Frying Pan trophy by Swaffham Lions president, Tony Lakey.

All the participants thoroughly enjoyed their first time taking part in the pancake races.

Tilly Martin and Kieron Bartram-Doolan pictured taking part in the Swaffham Pancake Races (Image: Archant)

Swaffham Lions member and organiser Dennis Stallon (Image: Archant)

Tommy Jeary taking part in the Swaffham Lions Pancake Races (Image: Archant)

Tilly Martin, 11, from Nicholas Hamond Academy, at the Swaffham pancake race (Image: Archant)

Tyler, Daniel, Noah, Cameron, Tommy and Keiron from Swffham Primary (Image: Archant)

Swaffham pancake race winners Tommy Jeary and Keiron Bartram-Doolan with headteacher Mrs Kaye and Swaffham Lions president Tony Lakey (Image: Archant)