Flipping pan-tastic racers took part in a cracking contest held in Rickmansworth today to raise money for Watford Mencap.

A total of 20 teams tossed pancakes in the air in-between running the length of the high street in a race that drew more than 100 spectators this morning.

Watford Observer:

Teams of four runners, pan in hand, tried to beat off competition by sprinting up and down the high street in relay, flipping the pancake once per run.

The event, which is organised by Watford Mencap, began at 11am, with runners turning out in animal-themed onesies, gym gear and company t-shirts.

The charity’s fundraising assistant, Rachel Schmitz, co-ordinated the event, which is in its 13th year.

She said: "It’s been a really good year. We’ve had 20 teams enter, which is the most we can have.

"It’s great that people have come out to support us and we appreciate so many of the local businesses getting involved.

"I love events like this because it’s become a local tradition. It’s just something everyone can get involved in and it’s for such a worthy cause."

Watford Mencap entered their own team in the pancake race this year.

Following four competitive heats, the fifth and final race was won by VocaLink, who battered off competition from Thrive Homes, Three Rivers District Council and Sewell and Gardner.

Ben Feetham, captain of the winning team, said: "It’s a great and surreal feeling to have won. It’s amazing but we hadn’t even organised our order for the final, thinking that we’d only do the first heat.

"We swapped around our running order for the final, just to give some of our runners a break.

"It’s a great charity to support and we just wanted to be a part of the event."

This is the second year that VocaLink has entered the race, but the first time runners from the company has won.

Chairman of Three Rivers District Council, Les Mead, who started the race, said: "The day has gone exceedingly well. This event always does because it’s organised so well by Watford Mencap who really know what they are doing."

Councillor Mead added: "The encouragement that we see from the local community is fantastic and people always come out to show their support. It’s just an exciting, local event in Rickmansworth and it’s all to raise money for a cracking charity."

With each team being charged £75 to enter the race, Watford Mencap has raised at least £1,500, with even more expected after sponsorship money is counted.

Collection buckets were also positioned throughout High Street.