The Devizes Colour Rush, at which everyone is pelted with paint which also covers the Market Place, is to return in the autumn – and organisers are pledging “don’t worry, we’ll clean up the mess”.

The popular event, which has attracted crowds of 5,000, will happen on September 3, in conjunction with the town’s traditional Confetti Battle, organised by Devizes Outside Celebratory Arts [DOCA].

The Confetti Battle takes place in the Market Place at the finish line of the Colour Rush 5-kilometre fun run.

The confetti event, which dates back to 1913, has caused protests in the past from residents angry about the litter.

But DOCA artistic director Loz Samuels is assuring residents there is nothing in the paint throwing to get bothered about.

“There is paint everywhere and we get a lot of complaints, some people do get upset about it, complaining that there’s pink powder all over their lawn or something, but it’s only dyed corn starch, it does blow away and it doesn’t stain, it’s organic and it washes out,” said Loz.

“And we do make the effort to clean up after the event, which is just insane; it gets rammed and we’ve had 5,000 attend before.”

DOCA says on its website: “As far as we know Devizes is the only town in the world that has a Confetti Battle tradition. 

"No one can remember the first official battle, but we know its roots date back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, where confetti and rose petals were thrown by the crowd at people in the procession. The tradition evolved into a fully-fledged battle around 1955.

“There is no ‘battle’ as such, just a very silly half-hour during which a lot of fun is had, and a lot of confetti is thrown about. Expect to get ‘attacked’ by complete strangers throwing paper.

"The event takes place at the finish line of our Colour Rush 5k run, so expect to see some exceptionally colourful visitors in the crowd.”

This year, DOCA is urging the disabled to take part in the Colour Rush and it has added a new shorter 1.5-kilometre route, which it says is “suitable for manual and motor wheelchairs”.

DOCA said: “Originating from the Indian festival of Holi or the Festival of Colour, colour runs, rushes, and parties have become a big thing around the globe over the last decade or so.

“The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh.”