THE RINGING of the Lent Bell will mark the start of a cathedral city’s pancake race this week, as it re-enacts a 600-year-old tradition.

On Shrove Tuesday people will be setting off on a 100-yard dash from Ripon Cathedral with pans and pancakes cooked in a military field kitchen.

The city honours the tradition every year and the start is marked by 40 rings of the lent bell.

Last year troops from the Royal Engineers 21 Regiment Catering Corps cooked red, white and blue pancakes for participants in Ripon’s race during the Jubilee year.

This year the regiment will be called on again to provide the pancakes.

More than 150 children from primary schools in Ripon will be joining the celebrations, along organisations and businesses in the town.