The closest translation to "Correfoc" which I can think of is moving fire - and it is one of those Spanish fiesta traditions which I can only defined as stark raving bonkers!

Living here in Spain you quickly realise their love of fireworks and all things loud - such as letting off fireworks in the middle of the day or mascletas - very loud bangers, but this is something on a completely different scale!

The Benidorm Correfocs took place last night - well in the early hours of the morning technically speaking as it was 1am! I went along to my first every one with son and good friend Ann. I was warned to wear old clothes, trainers to run in and to cover my head.... which I totally ignored but did wear slightly lower heels than normal! I don´t even know where to begin....  I have never ever experienced anything like it in my life - but I have learnt that I can run quite fast, even in heels.

The start point was at the Town Hall square and the crowds turned out in their masses - I estimate that there were over 1000 - and all ages, from young children to pensioners. Many had hoodies and scarves covering their faces - they wouldn´t have looked out of place on the line up for the BBC´s "Crimewatch" parade! There was an opening speech welcoming everyone and then fireworks were let off from a massive model of a monster - if I was a child I would have been pretty scared as it was pitch dark.

Then the fun really began - me and Ann started getting a little nervous as people started edging backwards and so decided we´d better follow suit. About half a dozen men dressed as devils, carrying what I can only describe as a giant pitchfork with fireworks spraying out of them started running in and out of the crowds. Then another rode a bike, weaving in and out with more fireworks shooting out.

The crowds ran around like headless chickens, screaming and squealing - and I don´t just mean the children either! If someone from the UK Health and Safety had been present I can honestly say, hand on heart that they would have burst a blood vessel and had the entire town shut down and witnessing this spectacle.

After about 10 minutes the devils decided it was time to move on and start the parade, so walked down the walkway leading down to the road, under a fountain of sparklers which were suspended overhead. Everyone had to walk underneath - getting showered in the process. I do hope that none of the ladies had hairspray on! The procession went past the side of the Town Hall, in front of the Cristal Park hotel and down the Avd Ruzafa then wanted to go down the Calle Gambo, but there was a giant stage with a rock concert going on - yes at 1.45am so they took the next road down, round the Plaza Triangular and back to the Town Hall square.