The sky above Sussex lit up in a tapestry of fire as millions of pounds worth of fireworks turned night into day.

Celebrations centred on the historic parade through Lewes where thousands lined the streets to witness the unique procession of bizarre effigies and burning crosses.

Early-evening drizzle kept the crowd numbers down leaving those who braved the trains, traffic jams and police road blocks free to enjoy themselves without the traditional crush.

The night's public enemy number one - a 30ft papier mache effigy of George W Bush with a missile through his head - proved a popular choice with many.

For a long while before he disappeared in a spectacular explosion of fireworks, the crowd united in a good-humoured chant of: "Burn him."

The cheer when his head fell off in an explosion of flame was one of the biggest of the night.

The chaos began soon after 5pm as crowds began to pour off the specially laid-on trains from Brighton and Gatwick, filling the town's narrow streets.

They climbed lamp-posts, hung from windows and stood six deep in places, jostling to get a glimpse of the processions as they passed by.

As the night wore on the crowd's excitement built as they cheered past costumed characters from across the historical spectrum.

The Grim Reaper paraded next to a clown, there were Cavaliers and Roundheads, armoured knights, a tribute to Laurel and Hardy and ofcourse the Pope.

An effigy of the Queen was borne through the streets dressed in an England football strip and nicknamed Golden Baubles.

Marchers waved fire torches inches from the faces of bystanders and fire crackers were thrown from the rooftops, creating an atmosphere of wild celebration and near-anarchy - exactly what most people had come for.

Jo Mead, of Kemp Town, Brighton, enjoying her first ever visit to the event, said: "I'm in shock. It feels like organised chaos. I've never seen anything like it. It's totally mad but brilliant."

The processions were delayed at one point amidst fears of crushing as three train-loads of visitors arrived at the same time.

Paramedics said there were fewer casualties than usual and no-one had been badly hurt.

Firefighters attended about ten bonfire related incidents in the town, all caused by torches being dropped by the side of the road.

All police leave had been cancelled and 300 officers patrolled the streets, ensuring they were kept clear for the processions.

Gavin Young, from Hove, said: "It is mental. The best thing is the big bangs and when the Pope's head blew off. Bonfire Night in Lewes is unmissable."

By 9.30pm most of the crowds were heading for one of the five bonfire sites, dotted around the town.

At Cliffe Bonfire Society's ticket-only event hundreds gathered around the bonfire and watched as a group of papier-mache bishops mounted a platform beneath several burning stakes.

Chants of Burn the Pope filled the air until the baying crowd was satisfied as he was set alight.

They then turned their attention to the giant effigy of George Bush, with a missile labelled friendly fire jutting out of his head.

When he too went up in smoke, fireworks shooting all over the place, a roar went up, with some sections of the crowd humming the American national anthem.

Most people then headed for home, leaving residents to start the annual clear-up.

Photo special at thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/leisure/lewes_fireworks/