Bull was pinned down by around 20 men and set on fire in Medinaceli, Spain

Straw and wood tied to the animals's 'horns' and ignited at annual 'Fire Bull' show

Terrified bull charged around makeshift ring trying to put out flames on its head

Footage of the annual festival was revealed by undercover animal rights activists

A terrified bull was tied up and set on fire before being released to charge in terror around a town square as part of a traditional Spanish festival.

The petrified animal could be seen being tethered to a post as around 20 men pinned it down and set fire to imitation horns fastened to its head.

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Two huge balls of straw were fastened to the bull's head using ropes, wires and rough wood, then ignited at the annual 'Fire Bull' show in Medinaceli, north east of Madrid.

After being covered in mud and set on fire, the bull was then released, leaving it to charge around the arena in obvious distress, sending on-lookers fleeing.

As the bull rampaged around the makeshift ring set up for the event in the town square, it tried to put the flames out by repeatedly ducking its head towards the ground.

The bull could be seen being pinned down while its imitation horns were set on fire at the annual 'Fire Bull' show in Medinaceli, Spain

A man is seen (above) getting ready to cut the rope to release the 'Toro Jubilo' (or Jubilee Bull) of Medinaceli, before it then charged around the makeshift arena

Fireworks were also lit around the animal causing it to panic, with spectators chanting 'go bull' in encouragement.

Footage of the event was taken during the annual Toro Jubilo festival, which takes place on the second weekend of every November in Medinaceli in Soira.

Animal rights activists revealed the footage after an undercover investigation by Spainish NGO AnimaNaturalis and animal rights group CAS International.

During the festival, dating back to the 16th century, the bull is covered with mud to avoid burns and a inflammable structure is placed on its head which is set on fire before being freed close to midnight.

The annual spectacle, which is listed by the Spanish government as a traditional event to be preserved, took place last Saturday and attracted around 1,500 spectators.

Filming and photography is strictly banned, but AnimaNaturalis activists managed to record the practice to uncover the harrowing extent of what goes on during the show.

Aïda Gascón, director of AnimaNaturalis, said: 'We want to bring to light the systematic abuse that thousands of villages hide at their parties and uncover the enormous funding they receive from the municipalities.'

Locals gathered around the bull as it was covered in mud and two huge balls of straw were fastened to its head using ropes, wires and wood, then ignited

When the bull was released it charged around the ring, sending spectators fleeing. During the 16th century festival the animal is covered with mud to avoid burns

A spokesperson for CAS International, said: 'Popular festivities with bulls are a form of cruelty and violence.

'During the local festivities in Spain, bulls are immobilised, tied up and pulled with ropes, assaulted, forced to run, thrown into the sea and lit up with torches attached to their horns.

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'The animals fall, bleed, are under extreme distress and sometimes death.

'The most cruel form of celebration is when the balls impregnated with a flammable substance attached to their horns and lit up on fire so the bulls run desperately.

'Having fun at the expense of the bulls puts their lives at risk. Deaths from brutal blows, heart attacks, eye burns, anguish and fear of fire.

In the clip taken as part of an undercover investigation by animal rights activists, the terrified bull could be seen trying to put out the flames on its head

A man is seen (above) running to escape the 'Toro Jubilo' of Medinaceli after the petrified bull was released at the annual festival

'In addition to carrying physical and psychological injuries, a large number of these animals are sent directly to the slaughterhouse on that same night.'

The investigation also revealed that 2,500 bulls are flushed with fire every year in a large number of Spanish municipalities, concentrated in the provinces from Castellón, Alicante, Valencia, Teruel and Zaragoza.

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Animal rights campaign groups have been trying to get the sport banned.

However, Spanish authorities have designated the festival a cultural event, which gives it special status.

This listed status allows it to continue despite condemnation from various and protests from opposition activists.