The Ottery Flaming Tar Barrels

This was the typically Devonian and completely insane spectacle of the Ottery Flaming Tar Barrels, which happens annually in the small East Devon town of Ottery St Mary. This is the bonkers event where old beer barrels are dipped in tar are set alight and hoisted aloft by townsfolk and run around the streets of the town.

Thousands of people flock to see this health and safety nightmare in progress and dodge the burning barrels as they pass within inches of people's faces up and down the packed high street. Funnily enough, organisers find insurance is their biggest outlay in this annual insanity. Long may it continue!!

I wasn't sure which picture to blip but liked this one. Click here to see all the pictures