OKEHAMPTON Primary School children lined up excitedly on the start line in Red Lion Yard for the annual pancake race on Tuesday — after the event was saved from cancellation at the 11th hour.

Last week, organiser Derek Godfrey-Brown reluctantly had to cancel the race due to rising insurance costs.

Last year, Mr Godfrey-Brown had covered the public liability insurance of £75 himself, but when faced with an original £280 quote for this year's race, he was forced to cancel the event.

However, following widespread publicity, a number of businesses came forward to help save the race.

A local insurance broker quoted £60 to insure the race and the Shrove Tuesday event was on.

Mr Godfrey-Brown, who has organised the pancake race for several years, said he had been thrilled at the news.

'I didn't want to deprive the kids of their fun. I am delighted for the children that the event is back on,' he said. 'It is a bit of fun which everyone enjoys,' he said.

The children posed with their frying pans and pancakes as photographers and film crews bustled around the square, capturing the action. Parents and grandparents were also out in force to cheer on the youngsters

Okehampton Primary School headteacher Brian Cunningham said: 'The children have had a great afternoon.

'It has been well supported today and the media interest has been unbelievable.'

Mr Cunningham confirmed the pancake race will be held in Red Lion Yard again next year.

'We have already had offers to sponsor the event for next year. So we'll be back in 2005,' he said.

Chocolate crepe firm Doo-Wap stepped in to cover the insurance costs and sponsor the pancake race.

Paul Baker, brand manager of Doo-Wap, who is originally from Exeter, said: 'Doo Wap is delighted to be in a position to help maintain this fantastic Okehampton tradition.'

Mr Baker heard about the threatened cancellation when it hit national headlines last Friday and decided to step in.

He said: 'I just thought we can't have a Devon tradition going down the pan. So we brought our pancakes along today and the children had great fun.'

Under the new insurance deal, only 32 children from the 537-pupil primary school took part in the event, with the number of spectators also limited.

Six heats of pancake races were held with the Mayor of Okehampton presenting prizes to the winners afterwards.

Mayor of Okehampton Cllr Christine Marsh said the town had received huge support following the cancellation of the event from people who wanted to see the race go ahead.

Cllr Marsh said: 'It is wonderful. The children really enjoyed it. It was good fun.'