Pupils at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon will be cheering on their assistant head Will Penny, as he takes part in the town’s pancake race on Tuesday.

Mr Penny, who is also director of the sixth form, is taking part in the businesses’ race across the Town Bridge at 4.30pm, which will see scores of people running between the bus stop at one end of the bridge and the mini-roundabout at the other.

They will have to stop in the middle of the bridge on the way over and the way back to flip their pancakes, and they will be monitored by marshals along the route.

Mr Penny said: “The school sees itself as being an integral part of town events and it is great to support the local community.”

The two races across the bridge and the children’s races in Lamb Yard at 3.30pm will raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the town’s Christmas Lights fund.

Mr Penny added: “Ashley and Conigre house are both supporters of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance because it is their house charity.

“It is wonderful to be able to support a charity that any one of us can need at any time.

“Hopefully lots of students will come and watch what will be a fun event.”

Five to six children, up to 14, can run at a time in the children’s pancake race, so several races will take place before the Town Bridge event.

The tradition has taken place for 20 years and as with previous years, police will close the road either side of the Town Bridge for no longer than 10 minutes to allow competitors to take part safely.

The Tourist Information Centre will be making pancakes on the day to keep everyone’s energy levels up.