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Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 11:48 GMT

In pictures: Up Helly Aa

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Up Helly Aa - Britain's biggest fire festival and torchlight procession - is held in Lerwick, Shetland, on the last Tuesday in January to celebrate its Norse heritage

Vikings on replica boat

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Celebrations start early as the Jarl Squad, dressed in Viking costume, roam the streets and crowd on to the galley of an ornate 30ft wooden longship

Vikings as the sunsets

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As the sun begins to set, the Viking procession continues through Lerwick

Street procession by torch light

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Torches are lit as darkness falls, and about 900 costumed "guisers" line the streets

Viking with burning torch

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Emotions run high as the Vikings march through the town

Boat with burning torches

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The Viking longship is pulled through Lerwick, before flaming torches are thrown on to the galley and it is burned

Fire eating Viking

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A member of the Jarl Viking Squad lights a flare as the festivities continue late into the night

Viking with burning background

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A young Viking holds his axe aloft and watches the longship burn

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