'Donald Trump' the people's choice to be burned on Edenbridge bonfire

A 36ft (11m) effigy of Donald Trump will be burned at a town's annual bonfire celebrations this weekend.

A steel-framed model of the Republican US presidential candidate will go up in flames in Edenbridge, Kent - days before he goes head to head with Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election.

The figure, holding the head of Mrs Clinton and dressed in shorts with images of Mexican men emblazoned on them, will be stuffed with oil-soaked newspapers, packed with fireworks and torched on Saturday.

Organisers said Mr Trump was the overwhelming choice for this year's celebrity effigy.

Edenbridge Bonfire Society spokesman Jeni Fox said: "We were spoilt for choice in terms of potential contenders with a shortlist of around 10 potential runners but the people's choice stole the vote.

"We are literally helping Trump to live out his own catchphrase 'burn it down' by exploding the 11m effigy as the opening act for our fireworks display.

"It only seemed fair that Hillary Clinton took some of the limelight, and we are sure the presidential candidates will be pleased to see they are both featured."

Other names which had been in the frame were Sir Philip Green following the scandal involving BHS, sacked England football boss Sam Allardyce, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and X Factor contender Honey G.

Edenbridge Bonfire Society has been poking fun at the famous and infamous for more than 20 years by building and exploding a huge effigy alongside the traditional figure of Guy Fawkes.

Last year a model of scandal-hit former Fifa president Sepp Blatter was burned at the event.

Other well-known figures who have had the dubious honour of being the celebrity guy at Edenbridge's celebrations in past years include Cherie Blair, Katie Price, Gordon Brown and Russell Brand.