The organisers, Ripon Gunpowder Plot, decided to make a giant Gordon Brown figure after consulting with sponsors and members of the public about whose face they would like to see on the Guy at the event, which takes place at Hell Wath on Friday, November 6.

Committee member John Richmond said: "Guy Fawkes did want to blow up the Houses of Parliament; it was a political plot, so we wanted to keep a political theme and with the economic situation as it is and an election coming up, Gordon Brown was the perfect choice."

free event

The event is free, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors who stepped in to help when the popular celebrations were nearly cancelled because of the recession. Mr Richmond thanked them all, including the three main sponsors: F B Taylor Cable Contractors, Keith Anderson metal recyclers and Eura Audit.

"Their generosity has saved the event and enabled it to go off with a big bang," he said.

The bonfire celebrations in Ripon have traditionally been used to help raise money for charitable organisations and Mr Richmond said he hoped people would be able to donate something to the collection buckets on the night, with all profits from the event being distributed to local charities and good causes.

viewing area

To ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible, Mr Richmond said it was vital those attending should watch from the public viewing area on Hell Wath and not from Whitcliffe Lane, as this must be kept free to allow access for the emergency services who will be in attendance.

He added: "We also want parents whose children use sparklers to be very careful as we don't want any hands burned. All spent wires should be placed in the receptacles available as the field must be kept clean for when silaging takes place."

There will be a double bar at the event serving alcohol but as part of the licensing conditions people are not permitted to bring their own alcohol to the event and anyone doing so will have it confiscated at the gate.

'fun event'

To help people find their way around the site, which this year has portable toilets, two Ripon IT firms – Bronco and Stem Computer Systems – have designed a leaflet featuring a map and details of sponsors which will be handed out at the entrance.

The gates open at 6pm and the bonfire will be lit at around 6.30pm before the fireworks display starts at 7pm.

Mr Richmond said: "We want it to be a very big, fun event."