British townsfolk explode Palin effigy

BATTLE CREEK, England, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin was picked as this year's exploding effigy in a British town known for destroying political icons.

The giant effigy of the Alaskan governor -- stuffed with fire works -- disintegrated in seconds Saturday despite heavy rain in Battle, England, where politicians are the target of a local tradition dating back to 1646, CNN reported.

Battle's former exploding effigies have included British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and predecessor Tony Blair, said organizers, adding the event was not meant to cause offense.

"We just felt she (Palin) was one of the most interesting characters in the American elections," said event organizer Matt Southam. "It's tongue-in-cheek and she's getting more attention that the other two, so she seemed like an ideal candidate."

Palin's effigy featured a machine gun held in muscular arms, red lipstick surrounding a grimacing smile and a moose at her side with the slogan "Too hot to handle."

A smaller effigy of Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama wearing a combat helmet appeared off to one side of Palin's explosive effigy.