A HAMPSHIRE village was forced to abandon its annual pancake race contest this afternoon after the heavens opened.

Scores of entrants and hundreds of spectators were left disappointed when the organisers had to call off the event amid driving sleet.

The contest takes place in Beaulieu High Street and is one of the biggest events in the village.

Races involving children from the village school had already taken place and the novelty events were about to begin when the downpour began.

Pupils were hurriedly ushered back into their classrooms as spectators reached for their umbrellas or sought shelter in village cafes.

Locals said it was the first time the pancake races had fallen victim to bad weather.

The contest was the first to be held since the previous Lord Montagu, Edward, Third Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, died last year aged 88.

Today’s event was watched by the new Lord Montagu, the late peer’s 54-year-old son Ralph.

Edward Montagu’s first wife, Belinda, Lady Montagu, and the couple’s daughter, Mary Montagu-Scott, were also among the large crowd.