A giant Albion seagull made as a protest against the Falmer stadium was burned at the Lewes bonfire celebrations.

The controversial papier-maché model was carried through the town by the Cliffe Bonfire Society before being blown up with fireworks.

Sources told The Argus the original figure was of a giant Seagull defecating on the South Downs - a jibe at the Government's approval of the Falmer stadium on land designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Previous effigies have seen the likes of hate figures Osama bin Laden and Condoleezza Rice go up in smoke.

But the model sparked infighting among the 1,000-strong society, many of whom are Albion supporters and who refused to march behind the creation.

The model was then "toned down" - and ended up sending out a rather mixed message.

It depicted a giant seagull with what appears to be an olive branch in its mouth, flying over a rough relief map of the South Downs. There was also a crossroads pointing to Lewes in one direction and the South Downs national park in another - with the words "downs" and "national" crossed out in red.

At the base of the model was a smuggler dressed in the Cliffe society's traditional black and white hoops, also wearing an Albion shirt and bobble hat.

But a blackboard at the back of the construction read "BHA 1, LDC 0" - a reference to the club's victory over Lewes District Council which opposed the stadium - accompanied by a caricature of council leader Ann De Vecchi.

An insider at the Cliffe Society, which is renowned as the most militant of the Lewes bonfire groups, said: "The tableau was originally a protest against the stadium but a lot of people were very unhappy about it. Our members sit on both sides of the debate but there is a lot of support for Falmer in the society.

"It was toned down but it ended up not really saying anything. To be honest, it was a bit of a mess."

Spectator Philip Harrison, 30, of Kemp Town, Brighton, said: "It is out of order. This issue has been done to death and was all over months ago when the Government said yes to the stadium.

"The effigies are supposed to make a political comment but this is just confusing people. It was obviously supposed to be anti-stadium, which really doesn't fit in with the atmosphere of the night. Most people I know in Lewes support the stadium.

That tableau is in bad taste and serves only to divide the crowd."

The Argus broke news of the controversial effigy on its website yesterday afternoon with a picture of the model at a Lewes industrial estate.

The story sparked debate on the website and the photograph left many scratching their heads as to the message behind the effigy.

Paul from Brighton, said: "It's a childish gesture but I'm not overly bothered.

"Brighton and Hove Albion won the battle that counted, so they are more than welcome to burn anything they want if it makes up for the disappointment of losing."

Another contributor, James, from Hove, said: "Could this not be the fans getting rid of the final signs of our struggle against Lewes? A symbol that Falmer will rise from the flames."

Towering effigies are central to the Lewes Bonfire celebrations.

They are constructed in secret throughout the year and are bigger than some of the town's old cottages.

The Cliffe Society was formed in 1853 and many of its traditions date back to those days, including torchlight processions and members dragging blazing tar barrels through the town.

The society celebrated its 150th anniversary with a giant skull and crossbones effigy in 2003.

Last year Cliffe burnt a model of a British Transport Police officer's head in protest at changes to the parade route, and the "enemy of Bonfire"

effigy was a giant Condoleezza Rice.

In 2005, a 20ft model of then Home Secretary Charles Clarke was wheeled through the town before being blown up in protest at Government plans to introduce compulsory ID cards.

Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer For All campaign, said: "This is another confusing and bewildering display by our opponents.

"I'm rather bemused by it all, and I'm sure the noxious fumes given off by the seagull won't harm the environment in the slightest. Roll on three years when we will be in our new stadium."

Albion chief executive Martin Perry laughed off the news. No one from Lewes District Council was available for comment yesterday.

  • Pick up today's The Argus for our eight-page picture special of the Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations.
  • Or watch our video here