The son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and Dame Vivienne Westwood set fire to millions of pounds of punk memorabilia and effigies of politicians on a boat on the Thames.

Joe Corré torched the collection - said to be worth £5 million - alongside dummies of David Cameron, Theresa May and George Osborne loaded with fireworks, as part of a protest against the hijacking of punk's legacy.

The items included clothes, posters and other memorabilia belonging to Corré Credit: PA

The items included clothes, posters and other memorabilia belonging to Corré.

Dame Westwood joined her son on the bank of the river to watch a part of punk history go up in smoke.

Security had been increased after threats were made on social media that ageing punks would try to save the items from the flames, according to the Evening Standard, but the event past without incident.

Corré told the crowd who had gathered to watch: "Punk was never, never meant to be nostalgic - and you can't learn how to be one at a Museum of London workshop.

Vivienne Westwood was there to support her son. Credit: PA

"Punk has become another marketing tool to sell you something you don't need. The illusion of an alternative choice. Conformity in another uniform."

A series of events have been planned across the country to celebrate 40 years since the Sex Pistols released Anarchy in the UK.

Corré, who founded lingerie company Agent Provocateur, previously said he was angered by Punk London's plans to mark the anniversary of the sub-culture. In a blog post, he wrote he wanted to highlight "the hypocrisy at the core of this hijacking of 40 years of Anarchy in the UK".