Get your saucepans at the ready for the annual St Albans pancake race.

The pancake race, which will be held in the city centre on Shrove Tuesday (February 13), is now in its eighth year. Up to 20 teams will battle it out to see who will be crowned the flipping champions, in front of about 200 spectators.

This is the second year that the event will be organised by the charity Home-Start Herts, which helps local children and families, in conjunction with The Herts Business Independent, after St Albans district council handed it over in 2016.

As Shrove Tuesday takes place during the half-term holiday this year, the event is being turned into an all-day festival of pancakes. The traditional races will take place as usual but will be followed by an afternoon of children’s entertainment and activities from 2pm to 4pm, including mini flipping races.

Suzy Moody, strategic manager for Home-Start Hertfordshire, said: “The pancake race is always a great event and being half term it’s a great opportunity to make it even bigger.

“The festival will have something for everyone, and of course we know that occupying children in school holidays can sometimes be a struggle for families.

“It’s not just about having fun, the festival will be raising money for Home-Start. The demand for our support is every day increasing and we have many families waiting. Events like this are vital to help us support local families.”

The festival will be held in Market Square, in front of the Town Hall. The races start at midday, and teams need to arrive at 11.30am to sign in.

Teams have the option of entering the traditional running race or, if they do not want to run, the ‘Flippin’ Walkers’ race.

Marilyn Bell of SA LAw, which is sponsoring the event, said: “We are very pleased to sponsor the Pancake Festival Day in St Albans and support Home Start Herts who will benefit from this flipping fantastic event! SA Law will be entering a team to try and win the coveted frying pan award. We look forward to seeing you at the starting line.”

Entry is £40 per team, although charities can register for free by contacting at events@buzzing-media.co.uk for a charity discount code. Teams should be made up of four people and registration is free at http://pancake.events/