RUNNERS felt the heat of the kitchen in today's annual pancake race in Reading town centre.

Egged on by a juiced-up crowd, the 25 teams were battered by the mighty Specsavers who always had victory in their sights..

The opticians beat off supermarket giant Sainsburys who came in second place, just ahead of men's clothing specialist TM Lewin.

Canar Flack from Specsavers said: "It's all in the training - we've been throwing spectacle frames around the store for practice!"

Sporting curly wigs and moustaches in homage to the 118 adverts, the all-girl team from RUSH Hair clinched the prize for best fancy dress and bounced back from being knocked out in the first heat.

The event was organised by The Chronicle, Reading CIC and Reading 107FM with sponsorship from John Lewis, The Oracle, Cotes Restaurants, Malmaison and Clas Ohlson - all in support of the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust.

For more eggs-llent coverage see our flipping fantastic spread in Thursday's Chronicle.