Lewes Bonfire Night – pictures

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Lewes has enjoyed another of its famous Bonfire Night celebrations, with thousands packing the streets yesterday to see more than 30 processions organised by the region's bonfire societies, accompanied by drums, flaming torches and firecrackers.

The East Sussex town has become well known for its 5 November festivities, particularly its annual effigy of a controversial political figure from the previous year's headlines. This year's centrepiece depicted a scantily-clad David Cameron alongside a pig's head – an allusion to Lord Ashcroft's unsavoury allegations about the prime minister's time at university. Previous effigies include Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond, Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel.

Other effigies torched to shouts of "Burn him!" this year included Sepp Blatter and Jeremy Clarkson, as well as a 50-foot-tall traditional Guy and an effigy of Pope Paul V, who was the pontiff at the time of the Gunpowder Plot.

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Six local societies organise the event, each with their own motto, colours and costumes – trademark outfits include Vikings, smugglers and English Civil War soldiers. As many as 4,450 people took part in this year's parade, to a crowd of around 30,000 onlookers, the BBC reports.