A PAN-TASTIC afternoon of flipping good fun is coming to Dorchester's Borough Gardens.

A Pancake Day racing event is being held to raise funds for the work of the Marie Curie charity locally in what it is hoped will be the start of an annual occasion.

The event will also see a plaque unveiled for the charity's memorial garden at the venue, with Mayor of Dorchester Tim Harries doing the honours.

The racing will get underway from 4pm on Tuesday, February 28, with chairman of the Marie Curie Dorchester and District Fundraising Group Richard Crosby keen to welcome as many people as possible along to the gardens.

Competitors will race with their pancakes from the memorial garden site near the Princes Street entrance to the bandstand and back.

Richard said: "We want to encourage people to come along and get into the spirit of things."

He said the Pancake Day event was also the perfect way to kick off the charities annual Great Daffodil Appeal, which runs throughout March so will get underway the following day.

Richard said he was particularly grateful to mayoress Anita Harries, who stepped in late in the day to help organise the event and galvanise support.

Anita said the event promises to be a great occasion for families and people of all ages and she was only too happy to support the work of Marie Curie.

She said: "It's all about having a laugh and having fun while at the same time highlighting a very good cause."

Anita said she would also like to see local businesses getting involved in the occasion.

Richard said that, if all goes well, he hopes to see the Pancake Day event become a regular fixture in Dorchester's calendar.

He said: "It may be the start of an annual event."

Anyone who wants to get involved in the event or find out more can contact Anita on 07909 637066 or email harries-anita@hotmail.co.uk

For more information about the local fundraising group for Marie Curie and how to get involved in the Great Daffodil Appeal contact Richard on 07879 692369 or email richard.crosby2@me.com