The annual international Pillow Fight Day went off with a quiet bang despite fears the London event had been cancelled.

Armed pillow fighters arrived in Kennington Park, South London, on Saturday to find Metropolitan Police officers guarding the park following rumours the event would not take place this year.

International Pillow Fight Day, which takes places in cities across the world, had been due to be staged in Trafalgar Square but was moved to Kennington Park after failing to secure official approval.

In a Facebook post, organisers Focal Local said they had tried to make the pillow fight legal this year, but added they had been "threatened with legal action".

Despite warnings the annual pillow fight had been cancelled, a flash mob did not let the cancellation dampen spirits and began their first feathered forays while police watched from the sidelines.

Nikki Patel and Dom Man, both 25, who attended last year's London pillow fight in Trafalgar Square, said: "It's a ritual. It's not as violent as last year - it definitely seems a bit more mellow.

"It's all in good spirits. The purpose of this is to have some fun - and it's free."