IF you want to try out your pancake-tossing skills, then why not sign up for this year's pancake race being organised by Malvern's Rotary Club?

This year, the club has moved the event forward from Shrove Tuesday to the half-term week, in the hope of encouraging more families to take part in the fun challenge.

The event is now in its seventh year, and has become a much-enjoyed part of the town's calendar.

This year, it is being held on Tuesday, February 18, and the venue, as always, is Priory Park in the town centre.

Sandy Gibson of Rotary said: "Holding the race during half-term is nearer Valentine's Day than Shrove Tuesday but we hope that it will bring in a lot of families.

"Newcomers will be very welcome, and amongst the teams we are expecting to return are Faux Flower Designs, representing Macmillan Cancer Support.

"They won the the best dressed team title last year with their nun outfits and no doubt they will be vigorously defending that title this year."

The main race will start at 12.30pm, with the teams taking part in relay-style heats to determine the ultimate winners.

There will be prizes in both the "elite" (average age under 50) and the "veteran" (average age over 50) categories.

Last year the team from Waitrose, which is also the race sponsor, took the elite prize, while Save the Children topped the veteran category.

Sponsorship raised by the teams will be split half-and-half between the teams' own causes and Rotary. However, teams entered directly by charities will get to keep all of their sponsorship.

Rotary's part of the takings will be used to fund its support of local causes, and also Rotary International's End Polio Now campaign.

To book a place, at £20 per team of four, or to find out more, call Ian Selkirk on 01684 575879. Entry forms are also available from Malvern Library, Graham Road, The Splash, Priory Road, or the Tourist Information Centre, Church Street.