Pancake Day in the Anglia region

Pancakes are thought to have originated as a way of using up ingredients before Lent but did you know the idea of a pancake race is said to have its roots in our region.

At Olney near Milton Keynes they've been holding them since the 1400s. Boys and girls up to the age of 17 can take part but after that the rules only allow women to compete... and they must have lived locally for at least three months.

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert has battered the opposition in the annual Parliamentary Pancake Race at Westminster. The Liberal Democrat was part of the MPs' team which won for the second year running.

The MPs battled it out against representatives from the House of Lords and a team of political journalists for the charity Rehab.

One of the oldest pancake races in the country has taken place at Olney near Milton Keynes.

The race dates back to 1445 and covers 445 yards from the market Place to the Church. To be eligible to take part competitors must have lived in the town for at least three months.

Hundreds of people watched the traditional Onley pancake race near Milton Keynes today. The annual race first started in 1445.

The winner was 18-year-old Devon Burn setting a new world record time.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is warning people to take care when frying for Shrove Tuesday. Last year 58% of all accidental house fires in Essex started in a kitchen, more than 500 fires, and of those 307 were caused by cooking.

Divisional Officer Neil Fenwick said: “Shrove Tuesday is a night when thousands of homes across Essex get their frying pans out and treat themselves to pancakes.

“The most important thing is to make sure that you do not leave the pan unattended or put it back on the hot stove while you eat your pancake. When you have finished cooking make sure that all appliances are turned off. "

Britain's oldest pancake race is being held in Olney near Milton Keynes.

The race dates back to 1445 and it's believed it all began with a woman who was late for the Shriving service at Olney Parish Church.

The main race happens shortly before noon but children's races are held during the morning.