Las Luminaris festival seeing horses 'jumping' through fire in Spanish village to honour St Anthony

Locals insist the animals aren't harmed in the ritual that dates back 500 years

The bonfire ritual only lasts till midnight - but the drink and celebrating goes on till dawn (Reuters)

Spanish villagers have taken to the streets to ride their horses through fire - as part of a centuries old festival honouring a Catholic saint.

The Luminaris festival is held every year on 16 January on the eve of St Anthony’s Day - the patron saint of animals - in the village of San Bartolome de Pinares in central Spain.

The ritual - which involves villagers riding through a bonfire at night in the tiny village’s cobbled streets - is supposed to “purify” the horses.

Locals insist the animals are never hurt and the ritual “protects” them from smoke and fire for the coming year.

The jumping ritual is believed to date back over 500 years.

The official celebrations last until midnight - but the drinking and feasting goes on until dawn.