Sagunto festival organisers yesterday decided to go ahead with the annual release of ducks into the sea despite being warned not to do so by the Valencian government on animal cruelty grounds.

A spokesman for the rebels, Vicente Galvez, stated that the birds were released "using more care than ever before."

However, this may not be enough to get the festival committee off the hook with the Valencian government, who could fine the entity as much as €60,000 for refusing to adhere to its decision.

The photo shows one of the lucky winners of last year's race.