Centenarian Molly Carleton proved you can never be too old for a pancake race on Shrove Tuesday, as she flipped her pancakes in the 50 yard contest.

Hackney Gazette: Friends of Prideaux House George Turner, left, 102-year-old Molly Carlton, and Margaret WhiteFriends of Prideaux House George Turner, left, 102-year-old Molly Carlton, and Margaret White (Image: Archant)

The 102-year old was the only contestant in her 100-110 age range in the competition dubbed a “shufflethon” on Well Street Common however, but there were two people in the 90-100 years group.

“They have to flip a pancake and try and run to the end and come back,” said the organiser Revd Gualter De Mello, from the Community of Reconciliation and Fellowship, which serves the needs of the elderly in South Hackney.

He continued: “Of course some drop the pancake and some find ways of sticking the pancake to the frying pan.

“We’ve been doing it since 1982, when I think of the people who have taken part in the past it’s lovely really, I’m glad because it brings different groups in the community together.”

Participants went back to Prideaux House in Church Crescent for fish and chips and to celebrate Valentine’s Day early with a Blind Date game based on the hit ITV show.

The two lucky winners are going out for a meal together as a prize.