The streets of Nadur were crowded for the traditional spontaneous carnival last night, but participants appeared to have noted last year's controversy and avoided dressing up as figures which may cause offence.

Two men did hit back however, dressing up as the 'censor police'.

People on the scene said no one appeared to have dressed up as religious, or political figures. Neither were there any 'nuns'.

Three men, however, said the police had noted their particulars for indecency and another two for producing toy guns. The police could not confirm the claims.

Although the police had said they would have a strong presence at the carnival, their presence was generally discreet.

Particularly evident was the heavy alcohol drinking by many of those present, and volunteers at a Red Cross clinic were kept busy throughout the night.

The carnival otherwise lived up to its spontaneity. There were people dressed as speed cameras, another became an electricity 'smart meter'.

There were the usual zombies and many men who became 'women'. Somebody dressed up a garbage bag and there were a couple of Barney dinosaurs.

In a nod to Valentine's Day, 'cupid' also made the rounds.

The 'wild' contrasted with folklore. At one time a group of men started hurling smelly fish into the yelling crowd.

Further down the road, the scene could not be more different , with people playing traditional carnival music using old music instruments and dressed in period costume.