Ref. 73081-105THERE may have been fewer than expected but a group of people still had a thumping tood time in Swindon town centre this weekend.

At precisely 11am two dozen shoppers carrying bulging plastic bags unveiled their lethal weapons pillows.

Stunned shoppers looked on as the pranksters fancying themselves as featherweight fighters formed a makeshift arena under the Jubilee Clock yesterday.

Some had even come from other towns for the occasion.

One fighter, who claimed his name was 'J', travelled from Liverpool where he attends university to get in on the action.

The 20-year-old creative writing student, originally from Highworth, said: "It's great fun.

"Who cares if it's a bit childish? Everyone needs to let their hair down and have a laugh some time.

"I might even write something about it myself when I get back to Liverpool."

The event went ahead despite calls from town leaders for a blanket ban.

Coun Owen Lister (Con, Abbey Meads) branded it a "pathetic prank."

And Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart even requested stepped-up police patrols.

But the mood was passive as the big fight took hold.

Nicky Hunt, 25, from Park North was one of the first into battle.

The barmaid said she wished those who'd attempted to impose the ban were there.

"I would have no hesitation bashing them over the head with a pillow," she laughed.

"It's not doing anyone any harm so I do not see what the problem is."

Her pal Stuart Atherton, 28, from the town centre, said he should know better at his age, but felt the need to vent some frustration.

"There should be a national pillow fight every year," said the retail manager.

"There is no better way to get rid of your frustration than bashing a random stranger with a pillow."

New College student Donna Cummins, 16, from Hook, joined three friends.

She was quite pleased with her efforts, despite her size.

"I'm quite small and I think it's a massive advantage if you are tall so you can take proper swings," she said.

Now organisers, Gary Firth and Vince Barnett, both 18, hope to make it an annual event.

Gary, who works for a Swindon computer company, said: "We were expecting more people but it went very well.

"We got the idea after seeing a similar stunt outside St Paul's Cathedral a few weeks ago.

"We couldn't get to London so we thought we'd bring one to Swindon using the internet."

Police say no arrests were made.

Kevin in the thick of the action

ALL I can say in my defence is that it's a lot harder than it looks.

The last time I had a pillow fight, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the must-have Christmas toy.

I had forgotten how tiring it can be then again I didn't have a beer gut or a junk food diet.

Attempting a cheeky uppercut to catch my opponent, David Kinsella, off guard I slipped and fell promptly to the floor.

Although I recovered, I knew the fight was over just 30 seconds after it started.

Like a true slob, I think I'll use my pillow for its true purpose sleeping.

Kevin Shoesmith