COMPETITORS braved chilly weather and rain to battle it out in Ilkley town centre for the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake races.

With the celebration falling early this year there was little in the way of spring-like weather to warm young runners who turned up from schools across Wharfedale.

The event is organised by Ilkley Rotary Club, which provided volunteers to marshal the races along The Grove on Tuesday morning, as well as hand out prizes to race winners and much-needed refreshments.

Races for adults, including teams from local businesses, took place early in the afternoon.

The shopping street was closed to traffic for the morning, and cordons set up along either side of the road, which became a temporary running track.

As ever, competitors lined up close to the junction with Cunliffe Road, with their frying pans and pancakes at the ready. At the blast of an air horn, they raced along The Grove, performing the required flip of their pancake before crossing the finishing line.

Schools taking part this year included: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, All Saints C of E Primary, Ashlands Primary, Burley Oaks Primary and Ghyll Royd School.

There was also a series of races for students in different year groups at Ilkley Grammar School, culminating in a final between the winners of each race.

Geoffrey Maldwyn-Jones, of Ilkley Rotary Club club, says competitors had fun despite cold and wet weather.

"They love it, you can just see by the smiles on their faces," he said.

Ilkley Rotary Club is already making big plans for the event next year.

The winners of each race went to a nearby winners' tent to receive a commemorative t-shirt, a goodie bag of sweet treats from Bettys, and a large chocolate gold medal.

The spectacle, which included a commentary and music, also attracted shoppers, passers-by, and parents with toddlers, who joined schoolchildren watching and cheering on competitors from the sidelines.