Lewes's biggest night of the year could be one the town's Liberal Democrats will be hoping to forget.

Fireworks have been exploding inside the party ever since the controversial torching of a spoof traveller caravan during bonfire celebrations at Firle nearly two weeks ago.

By Tuesday the detonations had reached Lib Dem headquarters in London, which sent an "urgent message" on the local party's email list.

The email said: "Membership of a bonfire society is incompatible with membership of the party."

And the message carried what seemed 24-carat authority - "This has gone all the way to Charles", the email said, a reference to Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy.

Lib Dem national chief executive Chris Rennard took the unusual step of telephoning The Argus to deny membership of a bonfire society was incompatible with being in the party.

Later, a second message on the overworked email list said: "There is no incompatibility between membership of a bonfire society and membership of the Liberal Democrats."

Many Lib Dems took part in Lewes' bonfire celebrations last night, regardless of the catherine wheels of confusion whirling inside the party.

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "The first email was absolute rubbish. The second email represents the party's position."