Return for historic pancake race

The Dean of Ripon was among the participants

A traditional pancake race has been revived a year after it was cancelled due to health and safety regulations.

The Shrove Tuesday pancake race in Ripon, North Yorkshire, was started by the ringing of the city cathedral's ancient Pancake Bell.

Last year's event was shelved with organisers blaming a "mountain" of risk assessments needing completion before children could take part.

They said it was reinstated because of huge public demand.

Last year's decision attracted world-wide attention and even prompted the head of the Health and Safety Commission to voice her surprise at the move.

Social occasion

Dozens of people, including the Dean of Ripon, The Very Reverend Keith Jukes, took part in the race on Ripon's cobbled streets.

They were watched by hundreds of cheering spectators.

Ripon's Pancake Bell has been rung for 600 years and was traditionally used to signal the start of the race, which was revived in 1998 by former Dean of Ripon John Methuen.

One of the organisers, county councillor Bernard Bateman, said the event had been "absolutely phenomenal".

He said the event was reinstated "because everybody wanted to make it happen. It's a simple as that".

"The thing about Ripon is it's incredible community spirit, it's first class, and that's what we've seen today.

"There were about twice as many children as we anticipated and there were loads of other people, including the clergy.

"It's just been a great social occasion."