Lewes bonfire night celebrations – in pictures

Bonfire societies parade through the streets in period costume during the night's celebrations in Lewes, Sussex Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

Members of the town's six bonfire society's parade through the streets in costume Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The march begins Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

The earliest known Lewes bonfire night celebrations was in 1795 when the Sussex Weekly Advertiser reported a bonfire and fireworks in a street on 5 November Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

The bonfire society was founded in 1853 and has been marching the streets of the town for 160 years Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

Crowds gather to watch the display Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

The processions feature burning crosses, flaming torches and hordes of revellers enjoying the spectacle Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Local residents watch as participants pass by Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

As well as remembering the gunpowder plot, the event commemorates 17 Protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake in the town in the 16th Century Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Participants in costume hold burning torches as they take part in one of a series of processions Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Participants of all ages take part in the festivities Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

The tradition of parading a Guy Fawkes effigy probably has its roots in the ritual of public penance of condemned heretics Photograph: Leon Neal /AFP/Getty Images