Society to burn Harvey Weinstein effigy at Bonfire Night event

The Edenbridge Bonfire Society revealed the identity of its celebrity Guy on Wednesday, ahead of the event in Kent on Saturday.

The 11m (36ft) effigy is set to go up in flames alongside a traditional figurine of Guy Fawkes.

Weinstein was picked by the society to be this year’s public figurine at the event after he became embroiled in a string of allegations of sexual assaults against female employees and movie stars.

Bonfire society organisers said Weinstein was the “obvious” option this year after the accusations came to light.

The giant figure is depicted holding a Hollywood star, a clapperboard emblazoned with the words “final cut” and standing on the base of an Oscar award inscribed with “H Weinstein”.

A bonfire society spokeswoman added: “As with last year there were many strong contenders for this year’s celebrity Guy, particularly in the political and cultural world.

“While the burning of the Guys is aimed as a light-hearted way to mark the traditional bonfire celebrations in the UK, there is of course nothing funny about (the allegations).”

Rumours of other names in the frame for this year included North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Last year, Donald Trump was the “overwhelming choice”.

A steel-framed model of the then Republican US presidential candidate was made just days before he went head to head with Democrat Hillary Clinton and won the election.

More than 10,000 people attend the annual event, with families visiting from London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

Organised by a team of volunteers, the evening begins at 6.30pm with a torch-lit carnival procession through Edenbridge High Street.

This is led by the Bishop of the Bonfire, his choirboys and the society’s effigies as well as visiting societies from Sussex.

The evening ends with a firework display before the effigies are burnt.