Roman Catholics re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by whipping their own backs until they bleed - with some being nailed to a cross.

The bizarre tradition sees hundreds of men wearing crowns of thorns take to the streets in villages across the Philippines as they mark Easter.

Footage shot in Cutud, San Fernando city, Pampanga province, shows men walking bare-footed while whipping their back with leather straps - covering the floor in spots of blood. Razor blades are often used to pierce the skin to maximise the amount of blood spilled.

Many of the men taking part said they had been involved with the re-enactments since they were teenagers - a traditional rite of passage into adulthood that they believe absolves them of sins while paying homage to Jesus's suffering.

Some followers do it every day of the three day 'Salibatbat' Holy Festival until Easter Sunday.

Maria Cruz, whose husband Eduardo, has been taking part for the last seven years, said: ''My husband does this every year, though this time he'll only take part for one day. We do it to give thanks to God, to Jesus Christ and pray for a better life.''

The procession culminates with a Senakulo, known as a Passion Play, where the crucifixion of Jesus is recreated. In staged scenes, Soldiers kick devotees to the ground before an actor carries a wooden cross and is then nailed to it through his hands.

The Lenten rituals have become popular with spectators and tourists but Church leaders discourage them for being too dangerous.