Alaska governor Sarah Palin is John McCain's White House running mate

Sparks will fly in East Sussex later when an effigy of US Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin goes up in flames at a bonfire celebration.

Thousands of people at the Battle bonfire will see Mrs Palin get a roasting as the race for the White House enters its final days.

The 12ft (3.6m) tall papier mache figure has taken six weeks to create.

It will form the centrepiece of the town's 400-year-old bonfire celebration which will attract up to 25,000 people.

Attached to Mrs Palin is a model of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, a hockey stick in recognition of her "hockey mom" image and a moose to highlight her hunting background.

Radio presenters

Andrew Knowles-Baker, spokesman for the local bonfire society, the Battel Bonfire Boyes, said: "We have taken political themes in the past, as well as blowing up Tellytubbies, at our celebrations.

"But we thought the US presidential elections were a big thing and in any case it was too late for us to create figures of certain BBC radio presenters."

A total of 1,066 flaming torches will light the town as bonfire societies from across south east England parade through the medieval streets to Senlac Hill where William defeated Harold in 1066.

Previous effigies at the Battle bonfire have included Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as Punch and Judy, Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Neil Kinnock.



