Benidorm's non-PC party: Revellers try to outdo each other at 'bad taste' fancy dress festival as thousands parade through the streets

• The event, hoping to host 40,000, in an annual fixture and highlight for Brits bracing Benidorm in November 

Rowdy British revellers dressed up as fake Just Stop Oil protesters demanding to stop illegal migrants, while another was spotted pretending to be a bag of cocaine at Benidorm's riotous annual 'bad taste' Fancy Dress Party.

The event in the neighbourhood of Rincon de Loix is billed as Europe's biggest costume party and expects to draw as many as 40,000 visitors - a figure steadily recovering from pandemic-era lows.

Now in its 33rd year, the 'bad taste' festival has become a regular fixture for British tourists, who have been flocking to the Mediterranean city on Spain's east coast since the package holiday explosion in the 1960s.

In one snap a group of men wearing police helmets dress up as fake Just Stop Oil activists with a message on their orange t-shirts reading 'Just Stop illegal migrants'.

Another man appears to have painted his face black as he dresses up as Mr T from the A-Team as he crosses his arms while a woman stands next to him and poses as Supergirl. 

While a man was pictured holding a pint of lager with a clear bag partly filled with white powder dangling from his neck with the word 'Charlie' written in blue ink.   

Jesús Carrobles, Benidorm's councilor for events and citizen security, said today the celebration has 'become a reference' set to 'provide a great note of colour in the city', adding that 'in Benidorm we are delighted to welcome everyone who comes and participates in this festival, which grows every year'.

One attendee was pictured today dressed up as Alan Garner from the film The Hangover, a huge brown wig and beard plastered to his face. A baby doll was strapped to his chest in a carrier.

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas also made an appearance alongside the Spice Girls, while a Star Wars Stormtrooper in a bikini was seen mingling with Egyptian pharaohs sipping on Spanish lager.

Others came dressed as Disney or Pixar characters, including Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pocahontas. Shrek and Fiona made an appearance with Nintendo favourites Mario and Luigi during the boozy festivities.

It was a triumphant return to form for the event which attracted up to 50,000 attendees a year before Covid, according to Actualitat Valenciana.