Prescott effigy goes up in flames

Mr Prescott follows in the footsteps of Tony Blair and Saddam Hussein

A 30ft effigy of John Prescott was burnt at the stake as part of a Kent town's bonfire festivities.

The deputy prime minister's decision to build 2,000 more homes in Edenbridge over the next 10 years made him the "celebrity guy" for its celebrations.

Chairman of the Edenbridge Bonfire Society, Terry Gledhill-Carr, said the effigy likened Mr Prescott to the children's character Bob the Builder.

"He's wearing a hard hat, and carrying a trowel in one hand," he explained.

Torchlit procession

The effigy also showed Mr Prescott carrying a proclamation which said: "Edenbridge 2,000 more houses. No problem! I can do it."

Mr Gledhill-Carr said the issue of house building was a very real concern in Edenbridge with properties "going up on every available plot of land".

The statue, which was packed with fireworks, was paraded through the town ahead of a torchlit procession, which began at 1800 GMT.

There was also another towering effigy of Guy Fawkes.

The choice of the deputy prime minister was made by the town's bonfire society, with just one vote separating him from the former work and pensions minister, David Blunkett.

Previous effigies have included Tony Blair, Saddam Hussein and Edwina Currie.