A giant effigy of George Bush dressed as Uncle Sam, with Tony Blair in the palm of his hand, stole the show at the Lewes Bonfire celebrations.

More than 50,000 people packed into the town on Saturday night for the famously fiery festivities. Police, whose officers were protected by goggles and earplugs, reported only a handful of arrests and injuries as crowds of onlookers booed and shouted "burn him" when the 20ft model of the American president was drawn through the streets.

Commercial Square Bonfire Society had Mr Bush squatting in front of the United Nations building. To add insult to injury, Mr Blair was given the body of a lapdog by the effigy's creators. Other "hate" figures heading for the flames included US politician Condoleezza Rice, dressed as Wonder Woman.

As firecrackers exploded, torches blazed and crosses burned, the various bonfire societies vied for the most spectacular processions. The Borough Bonfire Society's 30ft effigy was a tribute to the late Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin, who was featured straddling a crocodile.

The television presenter's catchphrase, "Crikey mate, wot a brute", was emblazoned on the side of the float in honour of Mr Irwin. One of the biggest cheers came for a bonfire boy dressed as Elvis, who ceremonially burned his guitar on Lewes High Street. Waterloo Bonfire Society chose a superpower leader from the more distant past for its effigy, Genghis Khan, surrounded by severed heads.

Guy Fawkes and portraits of all the conspirators who plotted to kill King James I in 1605 followed, with a cannon lit by candles. A banner celebrating the Queen's golden jubilee in 2002 was escorted by a marching band playing the Beach Boys' hit God Only Knows.

Later on, Daydream Believer and the theme from The Great Escape kept the crowds entertained as they watched the bonfire societies of Burwash, Crowborough, Burgess Hill, Uckfield, Hailsham and Mayfield, together with the wraith-like figures of Vines Cross, follow the Waterloo float through the town.

Cliffe Bonfire Society brought a fearsome array of Vikings to the streets, parading a longboat followed by a contingent of bagpipers, Persian kings and medieval ladies.

The Cliffe parade included a giant relief map of the town, with outsized renditions of newer buildings stuffed with firecrackers, making its way towards the pyre.

The legend on the side of the float read: "Once upon a time there was a beautiful town called Lewes, but the council gave it to the developers."

Cliffe also burnt an effigy of a British Transport Police officer's head in protest at changes to the parade route. There were six arrests for minor public order and criminal damage, while four people were taken to hospital with injuries linked to fireworks.

Superintendent Cliff Parrot said: "Despite the large crowds, the event passed safely from a police perspective and was a resounding success, with fewer arrests than last year."

  • To watch our video of the Lewes Bonfire celebrations, click here