Fire and reign: Queen gives her ‘blessing’ for Buckingham Palace to be burned down (…but don’t worry, it’s just a model made for Bonfire Night)

• Edward Heath, 63, wrote to the Queen to ask permission to burn down a November 5th effigy of Buckingham Palace he's spent five months building from 1,000 wooden pallets
• Secretary replied commending his impressive charity fundraising efforts
• Mr Heath, from Staffordshire, has raised over £80,000 in the last 20 years through designing and building effigy landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London

It wouldn't usually be the kind of thing Her Majesty would approve of - but when a bonfire designer asked her permission to burn a massive effigy of Buckingham Palace, the Queen gave her seal of approval.
Edward Heath, 63, was inspired for his latest November 5th creation by this summer's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and set about building a 93ft wide, 26ft tall replica of the London landmark from 1,000 wooden pallets over five months.
But cautious of offending the Queen in her special year by burning down her home in a spectacular display of pyrotechnics, he wrote and asked for approval first.

Taking shape: Edward Heath poses next to his Bonfire night effigy of Buckingham Palace in Dilhorne, Staffordshire - having written to the Queen for permission to build it

Spot the difference! Mr Heath's replica of the famous landmark is 93ft wide and 26ft tall and is made from 1,000 wooden pallets

Royal seal of approval: Mr Heath (left), who has been designing and building bonfire effigies for 20 years, wrote to the Queen to ask her permission for the Buckingham Palace creation - and received a letter (right) back

Mr Heath, from Dilhorne, near Stoke-on-Trent, was stunned when a palace secretary replied with her best wishes for his charity fundraising efforts.
'It was absolutely fantastic,' he said. 'She wished me all the best for the future and my adventures raising funds for charity. I read this as a seal of approval.'

The letter said Her Majesty had been 'interested to learn' about his charity bonfire but it was not a 'matter she could give or withhold her permission' to.
He was then given her 'very best wishes' for the future.

Raising the flag: Mr Heath, 63, puts the finishing touch to the Palace, which is behind the (appropriately-named) Royal Oak pub in Dilhorne, Staffordshire

Replica: Mr Heath and his wife Chris pose in front of the effigy. Mr Heath has suggested it may be his last before retirement

Mr Heath, better known as Eddie, said: 'It wasn't anything like 'we think this is a horrible disgrace, you can't do this' - it was very nice.'
The retired scrap metal dealer has been building bonfire effigies based on famous landmarks for 20 years and has raised £80,000 for charities including the Midlands Air Ambulance.
Previous creations have included the Tower of London - where Eddie might once have been taken for such treasonous acts - the White House and Wembley Stadium.

Presidential: Mr Heath with his replica of the White House from a previous November 5th fireworks display

Up in smoke: A publicity photo of the White House going up in flames as crowds look on

Send him to the Tower: A replica of the Tower of London is another previous creation

Modern day Guy Fawkes: The Houses of Parliament were pain-painstakingly created in a previous year

The bonfire night is held for 2,000 people behind the Royal Oak pub in Dilhorne.
Despite seeing five months of effort go up in smoke and flames in less than two hours, Mr Heath says he feels like a 'contented bunny' as he watches it burn.
'I'm an artist and that's my exhibition,' he said.