WALLINGFORD'S pancake racers experienced their own Oscars moment when the top prize was initially handed to the wrong winner.

The mix-up happened yesterday after Amy Lee was awarded the 'golden' frying pan prize but organisers quickly realised she had been lapped in the market place by Nina Sarpong and hastily retrieved the prize to hand it to the rightful winner.

Civic leaders compared it with La La Land being mistakenly announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight at this week's Oscars ceremony.

The error did not take the shine off the best attended pancake day races as pupils from Wallingford schools raced out of their classes in fancy dress before running around the market place.

Children from Wallingford School, St John's Primary School, St Nicholas Infant School, and Fir Tree Junior School took part in this year's Agatha Christie-themed challenge, dressed as villains and investigators.

The popular tradition in the town's calendar will raise funds for the town's day centre, which is under threat of closure following council cuts.

Town mayor Ros Lester said: "It was a bit like the Oscars after the adult race when we realised Nina had lapped Amy but we managed to get it right in the end and everyone was happy."

Miss Sarpong, 45, a keen runner who was dressed as Miss Marple for the adults' race, said: "I got the frying pan in the end so I'm made up - I'm the first woman to win it."

The event was organised by John Houston, who runs South Moreton Boxing Club, with the backing of the town council, which closes roads around the market place while races are being run.

Mr Houston said: "With more than 200 pupils from different schools and 40 adults taking part this was the biggest pancake day races yet.

"The crowds seem to get bigger every year - it's a very popular event now on the Wallingford calendar.

"I think the tradition goes back about 40 years but about eight years ago organisers said they were going to stop it if someone didn't come forward so I stepped in.

"There were five children's races before the main adult race and the fancy dress was great - there were lots of Minions and a T-Rex, plus all the Miss Marples and Poirots.

"The market place was packed - it really came alive with people cheering when the kids were racing around.

"A few pupils dropped their pancakes but they managed to recover well and get to the finishing line."

Waitrose, who provided the pancakes, and Rowse Honey backed the event and prizes included hampers for the first man, first woman and best fancy dress and Ms Sarpong will have her name engraved on the golden frying pan.

Mrs Lester came up with the idea of having an Agatha Christie theme for the races as the crime writer has strong connections with the town after living at Winterbrook House from 1934 until her death in 1976.