Heath and safety advisers have been slammed for banning contestants in a pancake race from running in case they fell over.

Hundreds of spectators booed as the rule was announced at the start of the race in St Albans, reports the Daily Telegraph. St Albans City Council Tourism Manager Charles Baker told contestants: "We have a new set of rules today.

"Due to the wet weather conditions and health and safety regulations, in this year's race, there will be no running allowed. Only walking is permitted. Any team that runs will be disqualified. It is a genuine health and safety concern. People fall over in the dry, they will certainly fall over in the wet."

Ten teams took part in the 'Pancake Walk', three of whom were disqualified for not following the new wet-weather rules. Hertfordshire NHS Community Partnership team captain David Emery, 34, whose team was disqualified in the final, said: "This is health and safety gone mad. I have been disqualified from a running race for running."

Sorry to the old codgers at the Daily Telegraph but it's bollocks! Check out the Health and Safety Executive website (http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2009/e09020.htm) and you'll see it was the myth of the month last February!

Daphne's concern was misplaced...

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