Protests mark annual Pamplona bull running restival

Animal cruelty protestors marked the build-up to Pamplona's annual Running of the Bulls festival yesterday by forming a striking image of a bloodied beast.

Officially called the San Fermin festival, and originally celebrated as a saint's feast day, it now stretches across nine days.

Every morning the bulls are set loose on the city streets with Spaniards across that nation watching as brave or foolhardy souls run in front of them.

The future of bullfighting as a whole has come under threat in the country, not just from overseas but also from within Spain by opponents who say that tradition or not, it is a barbaric act that has no place in a modern society.

Last year the region of Catalonia voted to ban it, although the move was interpreted by many as reflecting the desire of separatist-minded Catalans to dispense with culture originating from elsewhere in Spain.

Polls also show fewer Spaniards taking an interest in the bulls.