Thousands party in Pamplona as firework blast begins bull-running festival

Many revellers doused each other with red or sparkling wine (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

Tens of thousands of people have packed the town hall square in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona to celebrate the traditional firework blast that starts the San Fermin bull-running festival.

Nearly everyone, including many tourists, was dressed in the traditional clothes of white trousers and shirt with red sash and neckerchief as they sang and shouted.