Berlin has become the biggest dance floor in the world with hundreds of thousands of ravers letting their hair down in the city's annual Love Parade music festival

Scantily clad revellers have taken to the streets to writhe and gyrate to the sound of thumping techno-beats. It is a procession that has grown from humble beginnings. In its first year, back in 1989, just 150 people took part. And, despite the massive scale of this year's event, numbers are said to be down compared to 2001, with press reports of a possible al-Qaeda terrorist threat thought to have put some potential party-goers off! But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of those who did make the effort, with die-hard ravers daring to bare almost all. Not all Berlin's residents, however, are quite so keen on the yearly rave-up, with regular complaints about damage, litter and noise.