An estimated 20,000 people were in Lewes on Saturday night for the town’s fierce and historic bonfire night celebrations.

As dusk turned to night on Saturday, the smell of paraffin drifted through the cold air, winding through the town’s many narrow streets.

Thousands lined the High Street waiting for the procession to begin, until the orange glow of blazing fire torches and burning crosses crept out from the darkness.

Hundreds of members of Lewes’s seven bonfire societies marched through the streets for hours, with firecrackers loud enough to pierce ear drums and the sound of explosions ricocheting off houses..

Lewes feels chaotic, the buzz is infectious as we tap into our primal obsession with fire.

One of the most exciting parts of the event is the effigies. This year's were Rishi Sunak bursting through the roof of a train, another of Rishi Sunak depicted as a rat under control of "fat cats" surrounded by oil money, Suella Braverman as an octopus and myriad other political-based creations.

People were packed into every available space to catch a glimpse of the effigies. The balcony of the White Hart Hotel was rammed. Half a dozen people were scrambling for space at an open window in a flat overlooking the street. Police officers stand and watch as young men clamber up the front of Lewes Crown Court.

Officers were, however, ready to act when called upon.

Thousands of people were gathered on the corner of Friars Walk and High Street at around 7.15pm when a motorbike was ridden into the area despite a blanket ban on vehicles in Lewes since midday.

Police officers tackled the man to the ground where he remained for around five minutes before being bundled into the back of a van.

Sussex Police later confirmed that a man, aged 31, from Brighton, was arrested on suspicion of road traffic offences.

It is understood that the motorbike did not come in.to contact with spectators, however a large police presence remained in the area for roughly an hour after the incident.

Then at around 9.30pm, a man from Lewes was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. A man from London was arrested for the same offence at roughly 10.40pm.

READ MORE: Lewes Bonfire paused for police incident with biker

Despite the incidents, and with the heavens opening on several occasions, spirits were not to be dampened as revellers split off in different directions for one of the many bonfires and firework displays.

The bonfires towered above the crowds, who had been eagerly waiting for the societies to launch their fire torches at the structure and set it alight. Seeing hundreds of sticks of fire thrown about in the darkness is impressive, but not a patch on the dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky.

Sussex does things properly, we do not cut corners, and that is evident here. People in Lewes are as passionate as ever for their famous bonfire night – something that every person should witness at least once in their lives.