Thousands of people flocked to an outlying island in Hong Kong on Tuesday to celebrate the Cheung Chau Bun festival.

The event is one of the oldest and most colourful in Hong Kong and began around 100 years ago after a deadly plague devastated the island.

According to local folklore, villagers built an altar in front of the Pak Tai temple and used white steamed buns as an offering to drive away evil spirits.

Those traditions have since evolved into a bun-scrambling competition, dragon dancers, and a colourful parade featuring children dressed as deities floating on poles.

In recent years, children have also dressed as local political figures and celebrities.

The city's chief executive is usually represented on one of the poles. Four-year-old Ava Wong was given the honour of representing the current incumbent, Carrie Lam, at this year's event.

Contestants will also take part in a bun-scrambling competition, which will see them race up a 14 metre (45 foot) bamboo tower to snatch as many plastic buns as possible.