THERE were tasty treats on offer across Oxfordshire yesterday as pancake fans cooked up their favourite dish.

Every Shrove Tuesday pancake races are held around Wallingford town centre, organised each year by John Houston, of South Moreton Boxing Club.

The theme this year was Disney and competitors dressed in costume as their favourite characters.

There was a race for children and one for adults around the town and this year the town council closed off roads for the competition, which raised money for the Footsteps Foundation.

The foundation supports the Footsteps Centre, in Dorchester, which helps young people with learning disabilities.

Winner of the adult race for the second year in a row was Christian Sinkinson, 33, from Wallingford, who said: “It was great fun and I had a brilliant time. I dressed as Tigger from Winnie the Pooh but I tried not to bounce too much because I didn’t want to drop my pancake.”

Our top stories

Ben Jackson, seven, from Long Wittenham, who dressed as Stig, said: “It was great fun dressing up as Stig – I love watching Top Gear.”

Wallingford town councillor Ros Lester said: “We closed off the roads in the town centre, which kept it clear for those taking part in the races. Hundreds of people watched and we are already planning for next year.”

Mrs Lester said about 80 children took part in the children’s race and 12 in the adult contest.

She added: “The town council would like to thank Mr Houston for helping to organise the races. A lot of planning goes into this. We needed the road closure because there was some scaffolding up where we usually route the race.”

At Maggie’s Oxford, at the Churchill Hospital, which supports cancer sufferers, there was a pancake flipping session to encourage visitors to find out more about the services provided.

Fundraiser Emily Hughes said: “There were free pancakes and about 60 people came through the door and spoke to our cancer support specialists.”

At Oxford’s Story Museum, in Pembroke Street, children were invited to bring in their teddy bears for a sleepover, which had a pancake day theme.

And there was also a pancake race for children and adults at Sainsbury’s, in Pioneer Square, Bicester.

Great British Bake Off star Christine Wallace from Didcot gives her top tips

She said: "I often wonder why we all wait until Shrove Tuesday to make the wonderful treat that is a pancake. Wafer thin batter with a wealth of amazing fillings and toppings the pancake can be a main meal, a dessert, a tea time treat or just to eat because you fancy one.

Witney Gazette:

"I have my favourite fillings and toppings which I am sharing with you today but the most important part of your pancake is the batter and here is my basic recipe:

115gm Plain flour

Large pinch salt

225mls Milk

45mls water

1 Tablsp Oil

2 Eggs

Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl
Make a well in the centre of the flour and crack in the eggs and a little milk
Whisk together until you have a thick batter and then gradually beat in the remaining milk and butter until the batter resembles the consistency of single cream.
Using kitchen paper rub a non stick pan with a little oil and heat until hot but not smoking.
Swirl a thin layer of batter over the pan and when golden brown in colour flip over and cook the other side. MAKES APPROX 8 PANCAKES

HINTS AND TIPS

Let the batter rest for 30 mins if time permits
Use a non stick pan if possible
Use a ladle to pour the batter into the pan
Use the minimum amount of oil or butter to fry
Have the pan hot but not smoking
Swirl the batter round the pan to make sure there are no 'thick'; spots.
Do not flip until golden brown underneath
Keep warm by stacking between sheets of greaseproof paper or parchment. 

THREE OF THE BEST

QUICK AND EASY: Maple syrup and Blueberry. Fill the pancake with maple syrup, roll up, add more maple syrup, fresh blueberries and clotted cream.

CHILDRENS: Caramel banana. 2 Bananas (Sliced) 45gms Butter, 40gm Demerara sugar, 2 Tablsp Cream. Slowly melt together the butter and sugar until dissolved, add the cream and sliced bananas, cook until the fruit has softened Fill the pancakes but leave partially open, top with grated chocolate or choc chips.

ADULTS ONLY: Poor man’s Crepe Suzette. Grated zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon. Juice of 2 oranges. 180gm Caster sugar. 3 tablsp Cointreau. Double cream to serve.

Gently heat the zest, sugar and juice until the sugar dissolves, bring to the boil and reduce by about a half until a rich syrup is achieved…add the cointreau, Fold the pancakes in 4 and pour over the rich syrup. Decorate with a few strips of softened peel and serve with cream.