Around 300 people turned out for a special event in Wisbech to mark the start of Lent Lithuanian-style on Saturday.

The Uzgavenes or Mardi Gras is a Lithuanian celebration held to mark the start of the seventh week before Easter and is their version of the British Pancake Day.

On Saturday the Spinney Adventure Playground hosted what is believed to be the oldest festival of its kind in Europe with British, Lithuanian and Latvians all joining together. It celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The tradition sees people wearing scary masks and special carnival costumes, who go from door to door asking for sweets - a bit like the Halloween tradition of trick or treating.

The masks in Lithuania are very distinctive compared to those seen in other countries. They are usually wooden and handmade. The most popular joyful and frightening characters are gypsies, horses, goats, devils, witches and cranes. The characters must be scary and loud in order to scare off winter.

Uzgavenes has deep pagan roots. During the festivities, there is a unique and authentic vibe in the air. The celebration takes place in public squares, parks or family houses. The participants and masqueraders dance, sing and eat traditional food.

The most popular traditional food served during the festival is pancakes with various toppings, and there were lashings on offer on Saturday.

They symbolise the return of the sun with their round shape. You must eat loads of pancakes on that particular day to stay healthy and strong all year.

Ugazvenes begins on the night before Ash Wednesday when an effigy of winter named Morė has to be burned. Another popular festival tradition is a staged theatrical fight between Lasininis (porky) personifying winter and Kanapinis (hempen man) personifying spring. Of course Kanapinis always wins.

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The Spinney Adventure Playground in Wisbech was the venue for a special Uzgavenes or Mardi Gras celebration - the Lithuanian version of Pancake Day. (30025645)