A Catholic grandfather hopes to take on 150 years of tradition and ban pope-burning at the Lewes bonfire celebrations.

Joe O'Keefe, 51, of Newick, Lewes, has written to the head of Sussex Police demanding the annual event be scrapped on the grounds it is offensive to his religion.

He also wants to ban the burning crosses and No Popery signs carried through the town's streets every November 5.

In the letter sent yesterday, Mr O'Keefe asked Sussex Police Chief Constable Ken Jones for his help to "stop this religious bigotry once and for all".

He wants police to prosecute bonfire societies which take part in the celebrations for inciting racial or religious hatred under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Mr O'Keefe decided to act following Sussex Police's investigation of a bonfire society which set fire to effigies of a family of travellers.

The force has arrested ten people in connection with the controversial Firle bonfire celebration near Lewes on October 25.

All have been questioned on suspicion of incitement to racial hatred and bailed until January.

Firle Bonfire Society has apologised for setting fire to a caravan containing gipsy effigies and bearing a fake number plate which read P1KEY.

Mr O'Keefe said that if police failed to act over his concerns he would take the matter to the courts himself.

He has contacted a solicitor and is willing to pay legal costs for a private prosecution to have the practices at Lewes stopped.

Mr O'Keefe, a company director, said: "This religious bigotry belongs in the past.

"Many Catholics stay away from Lewes on November 5 because they find it insulting. There are burning crosses and No Popery chants - if it was a gipsy or black person they were burning it would not be allowed."

Mr O'Keefe said he did not want bonfires or fireworks banned.

He said: "What I don't want is to see any form of racial or religious antagonism in the evening. It's a form of harassment and very offensive to Roman Catholics."

Superintendent Grenville Wilson, of Sussex Police, said: "We cannot comment until we have received the gentleman's letter, have a chance to consider its contents and also to speak with him directly."

Keith Austin, secretary of Lewes Bonfire Council, said the celebrations were not meant to offend anyone.

He said: "We don't carry out these celebrations with any hate or bigotry. It's a reminder of the days when people weren't allowed to pursue their religion. We wish Mr O'Keefe well to pursue his religion.

"Burning crosses is not anti-religious. The crosses are to remind people of the 17 martyrs who lost their lives in Lewes by being burnt at the stake outside the town hall."