David Cameron’s effigy burned on pig of a night in Lewes

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Thousands of people braved heavy rain to cram the narrow streets of a county town for its world famous bonfire night celebrations.

Lewes in East Sussex – dubbed the UK’s bonfire capital – turned into a riot of colour and noise as a series of torchlit processions weaved through the town.

A tableau of David Cameron, in Union flag underpants and holding a pig’s head, was created by one Lewes bonfire society following claims, dismissed as nonsense by sources close to the prime minister, that he took part in a lewd act with a dead pig while an Oxford University student.

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was also sent up. A figure of him, complete with boxing gloves in a nod to the infamous bust-up with a colleague which led to him leaving the hit BBC show, was paraded through the town.

Other famous names who were the focus of the town’s bonfire societies’ jokes this year included suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter following a series of scandals at the football governing body.

Crowds jeered as a tableau of Blatter sticking his middle finger up while sitting surrounded by piles of cash in front of a sign saying Thiefa was seen in the town.

Lewes has earned a global reputation over the years for its riotous Bonfire Night celebrations – and for its controversial effigies which have sometimes sparked criminal inquiries.

Last year, Sussex Police launched an investigation after an effigy of ex-Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond was created, but prosecutors later ruled that no criminal offence had taken place.