LEWES will be without a train service for most of November 5 when tens of thousands of visitors pour in to the town to watch the country's biggest Guy Fawkes Night celebrations.

Severe road closures are also being put in place as organisers try and make sure revellers stay safe despite the rail strikes set to cripple the network.

Last year an estimated 25,000 people attended the celebrations in the tiny town, which has a resident population of about 17,000, when effigies of David Cameron and Jeremy Clarkson were burned.

But this year numbers are expected to be smaller due to the Southern Rail conductors' strikes in an ongoing row about changes to their roles.

Trains will not be stopping at Lewes station or at London Road (Brighton), Moulsecoomb, Falmer and Glynde from midday on Saturday, November 5 until normal services resume on Sunday November 6.

There are road closures around Lewes and the A26 will also be closed for the event through the Cuilfail Tunnel, between the Southerham roundabout (junction with the A27), and Earwig Corner (junction with the B2192 to Ringmer) between 5pm and 1am, in both directions, as part of enhanced security measures for the event.

There are no designated drop-off points.

Lewes District Council asked residents and visitors to "take note of the changes and, if they still intend to travel that day, to plan their journeys with great care."

The six bonfire societies' processions through the town celebrate the fall of Guy Fawkes and the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.

They remember the seventeen Protestant martyrs burned near the Lewes War Memorial during the 16th century and they also remember our war veterans.

Commenting on the impact of the rail strikes, Lewes Castle ward councillor Mike Chartier, president of the Waterloo Bonfire Society, told The Argus: “The celebrations will take place.

“We and the other societies will carry through our activities on the night and the number of people present won’t have any effect on that; that’s not why we do it.

“Obviously we want people to enjoy themselves and be safe.”

Councillor Stephen Catlin, Lewes Priory ward, has also said: “It’s a two-edged sword: everyone says please don’t come [to the celebrations] if you don’t live in Lewes: maybe this year their wish will be fulfilled.

“But it will affect charities’ fundraising on the night.”

For alternative routes, visit the Lewes Tourist Information Centre and go online to: lewes.gov.uk/bonfire

Also see southernrailway.com for more information.