Filipino devotees have had themselves nailed to crosses to remember Jesus Christ's suffering and death - an annual rite rejected by church leaders in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.

Organisers say at least 23 volunteers took part in three villages of northern Pampanga province's San Fernando city to mark Good Friday. Foreigners were this year banned from taking part except as spectators.

Ching Pangilinan, a city tourism officer and one of the organisers, said the ban was imposed after some foreigners took part in previous years just to make a film or make fun of the rites, which drew more than 10,000 local and foreign tourists.