Drunken elves and snowmen cause carnage on Leeds pub crawl

Emergency workers had their work cut out for them in Leeds yesterday as a Christmas edition of the city’s infamous Otley Run descended into chaos.

A brawl broke out at an ale house along the 1.5-mile pub crawl and a man was taken away on a stretcher as crowds dressed as elves, Santas and snowmen stumbled past.

One drinker was arrested while police restrained another man dressed as an Oompa-Loompa to avoid further fraying.

The crawl is seen as a rite of passage for students at Leeds’ numerous universities and usually involves fancy dress around a theme.

It is commonly attempted for celebrations and other occasions and this weekend saw its festive incarnation.

The route runs from Woodies Craft Ale House in Headingley, a north-western suburb popular with students, to the historic city centre.

The list of venues has changed over the years and pubs and clubs jostle to get themselves counted as the official end point.