Clean up under way after spectacular tar barrels

A total of 27 flaming barrels were carried throughout the evening

A massive clean up is under way on Thursday, the morning after this year's edition of an event where dozens of people run through crowded streets carrying flaming barrels of tat.

The Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels attracted about 20,000 people, more than doubling the size of the rural Devon town, on Wednesday evening.

The festivities did not stop until just after midnight, with roads reopened at 01:00 GMT on Thursday.

The clean up started as soon as the event finished, with a number of volunteers working to return the streets to normality.

'Hive of activity'

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Caitlin Davey told BBC Radio Devon, several people had joined her on the clean up from the early hours.

She said: "There's 10 of us out this morning, it's a hive of activity.

"I've got the sweeper one side of me and then a couple of people blowing the rubbish the other side.

"I've come out today to help the team and coordinate everyone

"Last night went really well, looks like it was a very busy event.

"It was really well attended so very good all round."

'Can still smell it'

Speaking about what was left on the streets, she said: "I don't think I want to eat chips ever again after this morning, but it's quite interesting to see what has been left around.

"There's gloves around, bits of barrel, bottles of alcohol, all sorts.

"Coming in this morning and the fact you can still smell it from last night, it's a wonderful event that brings a lot of people to Ottery."

She said that the team expect to finish the majority of the work by about 08:30 BST.

A total of 27 flaming barrels were carried throughout the evening and the event ended after midnight with the Midnight Barrel, which departed from The Square at 23:59.

Organisers had asked people not to drop litter as it could have become a danger to the barrel rollers or spectators.

People were also asked not to bring glass but to purchase or bring a reusable pint or half pint cups.

These could be donated to a steward, merchandise shop or at any designated recycling point, organisers said.