Edenbridge Bonfire Society's burning of Donald Trump figure is watched by crowd of 5,000
Published: 11:00, 06 November 2016
Updated: 11:01, 06 November 2016
America presidential hopeful Donald Trump became the latest 'celebrity' to be targeted by the Edenbridge Bonfire Society last night.
The group has been poking fun at infamous celebrities for over 20 years and the controversial Republication candidate was the latest victim, going up in flames at Saturday's bonfire and fireworks display.
The small town in Kent lit an 11 metre (36 feet) high effigy of Donald Trump – complete with him holding rival Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton in a headlock.
Jeni Fox, spokesperson for Edenbridge Bonfire Society, said: “The tradition of exploding celebrity effigies at our charity fundraiser bonfire event has spanned two decades, and was created as light-hearted mockery of a famous person who’s recently done something outrageous.
"The US presidential candidate was the obvious option for 2016, and comments flooded in on our social media pages asking for us to consider Trump as this year’s contender.
“It took just a week for our artists to make the effigy, complete with Trump’s trademark bouffant and a pair of Mexican shorts. It was then stuffed with oil-soaked newspapers and fireworks and set alight, alongside an 11 metre effigy of Guy Fawkes.”
Around 5,000 people packed the town’s Recreation Ground to see the effigies set alight, followed by a firework display. Prior to the event, a traditional torch lit bonfire procession, marching bands, and illuminated floats made its way through Edenbridge High Street.
Mr Trump has courted controversy during the American election campaign, with disparaging remarks about women.
But with just days to go before the US vote, it seems the polls are nearly neck and neck.
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KentOnline reporter