FEATHERS will be flying once again in Swindon town centre when a second pillow fight erupts by the Jubilee Clock.

Organisers are hoping for all out war this year after fewer people turned out than expected for the first battle last October.

Town leaders wanted a blanket ban when news first broke about the event, describing it as a 'pathetic prank'.

And this year's contest, scheduled at noon on August 6, has again ruffled a few feathers.

Coun Owen Lister (Con), who condemned last year's fight, said: "I really think it is childish. It's not what the town centre is for.

"I think behaviour like this is wholly inappropriate. If they want to have one on a football field then that is fair enough but I don't think this ought to be allowed."

Mayor Ray Fisher said: "I can see the pantomime element to it.

"I have not got much to say against it but I think people could use their time more positively.

"There needs to be something to hang it on such as raising money for charity."

Last October, stunned shop-pers looked on as pranksters formed a makeshift arena under the clock.

One fighter even travelled from Liverpool to get in on the action.

Similar battles, known as flashmobbing, have been held around the country and have been trouble free.

Organisers, who don't reveal their identity, post instructions about upcoming events on the internet.

The rules modelled on the film Fight Club starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton have been posted on the web.

Contrary to the blockbuster, instructions tell would-be fighters to spread news about the club.

The other rules are to turn up at the pillow fight club venue with a pillow hidden in plastic carrier bag. And at the exact time they have to pull the pillow from bag and fight.

To ensure safety, a few more instructions have now been added. These include no putting heavy objects in the pillow case and no punching, kicking or any other bodily contact apart from with the pillow.

Ben Payne