WITH frying pans at the ready and fancy dress at the forefront, Salisbury is preparing to flip into action for a good cause this morning.

In less than an hour, crowds will gather in High Street for the return of the annual Salisbury International Pancake Race.

Competitors are due to assemble at 10.45am opposite Waterstones Bookshop, ahead of the 11am start.

Held on Shrove Tuesday (February 17), the light-hearted event will see teams from shops, organisations and community groups race along the High Street while carefully flipping pancakes at designated official flipping points.

Miss a flip and you risk disqualification – adding extra drama to the dash.

This year, Salisbury Foodbank is teaming up with St Thomas’s Church to use the popular event to raise awareness of food insecurity and poverty affecting people across Salisbury and the surrounding areas in 2026.

For some residents, that means going without essentials such as food, warm clothing or even secure housing.

While the cause is serious, the atmosphere promises to be anything but sombre.

Participants – some in fancy dress – will race carrying a frying pan and pancake provided on the day.

The fastest runner to cross the finish line will be crowned champion, although strong interest could mean a series of heats to decide the overall winner.

Members of the public are invited to line the route, cheer on the pancake flippers and support the cause.

For those heading into the city centre this morning, it could be a flipping good way to mark Shrove Tuesday while backing an important community cause.