Pancake Day

Shrove Tuesday also known as pancake day in the UK always falls on a Tuesday, the date varies each year but this is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.

In other countries, Shrove Tuesday has different names. In Germany it’s called ‘Fastnacht’ (meaning ‘Eve of the Fast’) and in Iceland it’s called ‘Sprengidagur’ (meaning ‘Bursting Day’). In France and some other parts of the world, it is known as ‘Mardi Gras’, from the French phrase meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’.

Statistics suggest that more than 250 people will need hospital treatment by the end of this year's Shrove Tuesday, instead of biting into sugary, lemon-doused pancakes

We would recommend oven gloves and wooden-handled pans, and be vigilant about wiping up butter or oil from the kitchen floor to avoid slipping.

How to extinguish a pancake on fire

• Stay calm and turn off any heat sources if you can

• If the flames are still just in the pan, cover the fire with a metal lid or a fire blanket

• If you cannot safely extinguish the fire yourself, evacuate the building and call the fire brigade immediately.

It’s 123 for the perfect pancake batter, 100g flour, 2 eggs and 300ml milk.