Effigies are paraded through the narrow streets and burned at various bonfire sitesCrowds of people lined the streets of Lewes as the town’s bonfire societies marched with burning torches for Guy Fawkes Night.Tens of thousands of people were expected to turn out for the annual celebrations, a tradition still very much alive since the first recorded event in 1795.Each society spends months producing an effigy - or tableau - which are paraded through the streets and then burned at the bonfire sites.Just before 23:00 GMT, firework explosions could be heard for miles as the festivities reached a conclusion.BBC Radio Sussex reporter George Carden said there was a "celebratory feeling" in the town as the processions began earlier on Tuesday evening.He added: "Smoke has filled the air and flames are lighting up the faces of those who've come to watch, while faint echoes of drumming come from over the hill."PA MediaThe bonfire societies paraded through the streets with blazing torchesKevin and Cathy Mooney, from Arizona, said they were in Lewes for the first time.Mr Mooney said: "I'm pretty overwhelmed by it. It really has been amazing."I come from the United States and really can't think of anything that comes close to this."George CardenKevin and Cathy Mooney have been watching their first Lewes Bonfire from a hotel balconyMs Mooney said she hoped Donald Trump would make an appearance as a tableau in Tuesday night's celebrations.George CardenSewage spills and water quality controversies were the theme of another designPrevious effigies have included Rishi Sunak riding a train, Suella Braverman as an octopus and Jeremy Clarkson driving a skip.On Tuesday night, one tableau highlighted sewage and water quality concerns, while another featured former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells.ShutterstockPaula Vennells, former chief executive of the Post Office, appeared with Postman PatEarlier, a grinning effigy of Nigel Farage holding a cigarette and a pint of beer was spotted in the town.PA MediaA tableau of Nigel Farage was seen in Lewes earlier on TuesdaySussex Police had urged non-locals to stay away from the event due to the risk of "crowd crushing and crowd movement" in the narrow streets.“The celebrations are always busy, challenging and complex,” Ch Supt Howard Hodges told BBC Radio Sussex.“This is an event steeped in history, culture and tradition but it’s one we can’t be complacent about.“There are inherent risks and that’s why the police, ambulance and fire service work really closely to make sure people can attend safely.”George CardenSpectators perched on a window sill to get a good view of the processionWhile Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot of 1605 dominate the UK's autumnal bonfire tradition, the town also remembers the 17 Protestants who were burnt to death by the Catholic queen, Mary I, in Lewes in the 1500s.There are a total of six processions through Lewes between 17:30 and 23:30 GMT. Following the processions, the bonfire societies burned their tableaus and let off fireworks in their respective fields.Nick EdellThe town also remembers the "Lewes martyrs" burnt to death in the 1500sFollow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.More on this storyThousands to attend annual Lewes bonfire eventRoad and rail changes planned for Lewes BonfireSussex prepares for bonfire night celebrationsRelated internet linksSussex Police