Come hell or high water the people of Lewes were going to put on a good show for the town's annual bonfire night and that's exactly what they did.

The floods that ravaged the town only two weeks ago leaving a clean-up bill running into millions was forgotten for a few hours of seasonal fun.

Although the number of people who usually attend Lewes' most famous event, more than 15,000 people crammed the narrow streets to get the best view of the procession of competing Bonfire Societies not only from Lewes but also elsewhere in Sussex.

The floods did take their toll with some events like the South Street Bonfire Society having to scale down their celebrations, but the procession of fantastically costumed marchers, giant effigies and fireworks went ahead.

Festivities kicked off at 5.30pm with colourful children's processions and the famous barrel runs and for the next six hours the event took on a life of its own building gradually to a dramatic spectacle of sights, sounds and smells.

Cavaliers marched beside cowboys and indians, Tudor ladies beside Victorian ones, ancient Egyptians beside the Romans.

It is traditional each year for politicians and public figures to be made figures of fun, taking on the role of the enemies of the bonfire.

This year it was the turn of the chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, who was the face of a giant model of a school teacher with Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson as his whipping boy.

As all the different processions came to an end people wandered to the four enormous bonfires dotted around the town for fireworks to witness the breathtaking finale.

The police also had time to enjoy the festivities and hailed the event a success.

Superintendent Simon Parr, divisional commander for the Lewes area said: "The bonfire passed off peacefully with many fewer injuries than in previous years and only a handful of arrests for minor offences.

"I would like to say how greatful I am to the organisers for their co-operation and to the public, both those who attended and those who heeded the appeal to stay away."