STUDENT waiters will be on the starting block as they fight it out to show who has the fastest service.

The Waiters' Day race will be held at Wivenhoe House Hotel on May 16 as part of a national celebration and promotion of front of house roles.

Hospitality businesses and professionals are invited to take part in the race, in aid of The Springboard charity which helps people into employment.

Entrants will be challenged with running several metres while balancing a tray with a water bottle and glasses on it.

Students at the Edge Hotel School at Essex University will be among those on the starting blocks at Wivenhoe House.

The hotel's general manager Oliver Brown said: β€œIt’s a fantastic opportunity to bring together all the talented people who work in front of house at hotels and restaurants across East Anglia and raise money for a very worthwhile charity.

"Professional teams are limbering up already and we are inviting students from related hospitality courses to take part too.”

Anyone wishing to take part should contact Heather Leathley at hleath@essex.ac.uk.