VILLAGERS hope an age old tradition will once again become an annual event after a successful resurrection.

Werrington's annual pancake race entertained generations of people from the village and beyond after it began in the 1960s.

Participants would run along a stretch of a road tossing their pancake and battling it out for the winner's cup.

The race died out about five years ago, but yesterday made a comeback after being taken on by Werrington Young Persons Support Group (WYPSG).

And 14 children turned up to take part, surpassing the target of 12 set by organisers.

Group committee member Jean Hodgetts, who handled the event, said it was a revival of the race started by St Philip's Church decades ago.

She said: "Everyone has been looking forward to it. I think it is a good thing because it is sociable, brings families together and gets children involved with what I would say are old-fashioned things."

Mrs Hodgetts, of Ash Bank Road, Werrington, now hopes the event will continue every Shrove Tuesday.

She said: "I'm so pleased with how everything went. The sun shone and people turned up, so it was lovely."

The race is believed to have been started by Patrick Ashton, a curate at St Philip's.

Villagers who remember the event from its earlier years say regulars would survey the road for the best spot in which to run during the days leading up to the race. Dozens more people turned up to watch each year.

The race used to be run along Washerwall Lane, but was this year moved to the safety of Werrington Primary School.

Youngsters had to toss their pancake at least once as they ran across the playground.

First to cross the finishing line was Anthony Cartwright, aged nine, from Werrington.

The pupil at St John's Primary School in Wetley Rocks said: "It was exciting and I was happy to win."

Mum Sandra, an administrator, said: "As long as the children enjoyed themselves and had a good time it didn't matter whether they won, but Anthony did very well.

"It would be nice to see it take place every year again."

After two races for the children, the adults had the chance to take to the course.

Several members of the organising committee took part, but missed out on the cup after being beaten by their local police representative.

Werrington PCSO Ashley Goodwin was supporting the event as part of his work with WYPSG.

The 25-year-old said: "I think it is a good way to engage the children and bring the community together. It was quite exciting to take part."