Orange fighting in Ivrea, Italy - in pictures

Members of a team collect oranges in the middle of the square during an annual carnival battle in the northern Italian town of Ivrea Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

People throw oranges as part of a re-enactment of a middle ages battle Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

A helmet-wearing participant receives an orange to the face Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

Members of an orange team use a horse-drawn vehicle for elevation Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Men wearing helmets are hit by oranges Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Teams hurl oranges at each other during the traditional festival Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

A team in chequered uniforms throws oranges at their opponents Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

A yellow-and-black-wearing team during the Ivrea orange fight Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

The ground in the centre of the town is left covered in pulp and peel Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

Oranges fly as a red and white team take aim Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

A blue and red team hurl oranges at another team Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

A man with a helmet is hit by an orange Photograph: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images