Effigy of Vladimir Putin blown up for Battle Bonfire Night celebrations

The infamous leader looming over a 'shivering elderly couple on a couch' featured in Battle’s annual celebrations, which sees an effigy built in secret before being revealed on the big day and set fire to.

A 20ft Putin can be seen gripping a scythe as he hovers over an elderly couple who are shivering under a blanket on their couch with the man wearing a 'Price Cap' hat.

The effigy of Putin at Battle's Bonfire Night celebrations (Image: SWNS)

The elderly man is seen reading a newspaper with headlines such as 'Food Bank Usages At All Time High!' and 'Putin The Heat On' and the effigy features a statement saying 'WRAP UP WARM' with 'WAR' painted in red.

The political statement saw the giant Putin effigy blown up in front of a huge crowd that gathered to witness the annual celebration.

Battle resident and tour guide Andrew Knowles-Baker attended the celebrations and said: "We have celebrated Bonfire Night in Battle in Sussex pretty much since 1605.

"Traditionally, each year there is an effigy, sometimes controversial and sometimes not, that is exploded.

The bonfire in Battle at the weekend (Image: SWNS)

"This year, the bonfire boys have chosen an effigy of a 20ft Vladimir Putin overcast as the figure of Death, basically, over an elderly couple on a sofa who are obviously very, very cold.

"The effigy is constructed each year in secret and brought to the town during the day in readiness to be exploded as part of the celebrations in the evening.

"It was a damp evening but it didn't deter a few thousand people from turning up, and as usual, the high street was full with everyone craning to get a view of the fireworks, the bonfire and, of course, the effigy.

"It was loud! But then again, it always is."