In pictures: Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival lights up Shetland

Up Helly Aa is a spectacular annual event

Shetland's famous Up Helly Aa fire festival has again seen the burning of a replica Viking galley light up the Lerwick sky.

The annual event sees people celebrate Shetland's Norse heritage.

Up Helly Aa - the biggest fire festival in Europe - is held on the last Tuesday in January.

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Warriors parade through the streets by torchlight as visitors from across the world gather to watch the spectacle.

The day culminates with the dramatic burning of a replica Viking long ship.

People of all ages take part

Up Helly Aa offers much for photographers to savour in daylight hours as well as at night

It was not only humans who got into the Up Helly Aa spirit this year

As darkness descends, the torches are lit

Thousands gather to watch the traditional event

The day culminates with the dramatic burning of a replica Viking long ship - and the party then continues into the night

Images (Andrew Milligan / PA) are copyrighted.