Thousands of people from around the world seeking a uniquely messy thrill have spent a wild hour flinging bushels of overripe tomatoes at each other.

Thousands of people are set to paint a Spanish town red with tomato pulp during the famous "Tomatina" festival

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the eye-catching Tomatina festival in which people fling overripe tomatoes at each other. Lore says it began in 1945 for local children but these days it draws an international crowd.