If ever there was a tradition in Devon that could be described as "hot", then it must surely be carrying tar barrels in Ottery St Mary, Devon. On Guy Fawkes night (5th November), you can witness the ritual of carrying the blazing tar barrels, which dates back to 1688.

Men carry the flaming barrels on their shoulders until the weight or heat becomes too much for them and another person takes over. This carries on until the barrels start to break up and then they are allowed to burn out.

Ottery is a town steeped in history, tradition and folklore. It celebrates its history every year during Pixie Day (the Saturday nearest to the longest day) and is also famously the birthplace of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. However, the custom of the Tar Barrels literally brings a glow to the town.

The annual event involves people racing through the streets of the town, carrying flaming wooden barrels of burning tar on their backs. Hundreds of people converge on the town to witness the sight.