WANDERERS mascot Lofty the Lion has been getting in some practice for a special assignment tonight.

He will hoping to be the pride of all the North West's football club mascots when he takes part in a charity pancake race in Manchester.

Lofty will be battling it out at the Printworks' Leisure complex against Fred The Red (Manchester United), Moonchester and Moonbeam (Manchester City), and Chaddy The Owl (Oldham Athletic) in the event which will raise cash for Comic Relief.

The mascot is hoping that fans will celebrate Shrove Tuesday by going down to The Printworks near Victoria Station at 6.30pm and cheering him on.

With the fierce rivalry between the five contenders organisers are predicting that there will be mascot fur flying as well as pancakes!