Frenzied locals scrambled to grab free durian at the Durian Festival in Indonesia.

Footage shows frantic villagers battling to get their share of the pungent, spiky fruit from a pile in Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi, on July 6.

The Parigi Moutong government said around 10,000 durian, which were harvested from 23 sub-districts in the regency, were given away for free to show gratitude to the local community for the abundance of fruit.

Parigi Moutong Regent Samsurizal Tombolotutu said: 'Actually the season was over a few weeks ago, but until now the fruit is still there.'

Mohamad Yasir, Head of the Parigi Industry and Trade Service (Disperidag) Moutong, said the festival was held to promote the taste of local durian.

He said: 'It's incomplete if you just say that durian fruit from Parigi Moutong is delicious, but don't give it to visitors to taste.

'Through this festival, Parigi Moutong has also been proclaimed a durian district by the Minister of Agriculture, through the Director General (Dirjen) of Horticulture.'