Financial jibe pig effigy at Sussex bonfire (From The Argus)

Financial jibe pig effigy at Sussex bonfire

9:42am Sunday 18th October 2009

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A giant effigy of three pigs with their noses in a trough went up in flames in a jibe over the financial crisis.

The 40ft-tall swine were made by the East Sussex-based Hastings Bonfire Society, which builds an effigy to be burnt at the stake every year, often choosing topical figures to model it on.

Society spokesman Keith Leech said the three pigs represented the MPs' expenses scandal, bankers' bonuses and the high cost of NHS car parking.

He added: "I hope the politicians see it. It shows the anger of the people of England at the moment over this.

"I don't think they can wriggle out of it, they have over-claimed and should pay back the taxpayer."

He said the effigy was not intended as a dig at local Hastings and Rye MP, Michael Foster, whom he said had come out of the expenses scandal unscathed.

Sussex and Kent are home to a number of bonfire societies that hold ceremonies throughout October and November.

The Hastings Bonfire is held annually on the nearest Saturday to the Battle of Hastings anniversary.

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