Mexico City, March 27 (IANS): An effigy of US Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump was set on fire along with other figures during a traditional Easter celebration in Mexico, the media reported on Sunday.

The over three-metre-tall effigy, sporting the distinct blonde toupee, blue suit and white shirt of the presidential hopeful, who branded Mexican immigrants in the US as criminals and drug-traffickers, was burnt on Saturday night during "Burning the Judas" celebrations in Mexico City, EFE news reported.

The figure, fashioned out of brown paper, newspaper, paint and thread, burst into flames before exploding amid loud cheers.

The spectacle was part of Easter weekend celebrations during which Mexicans burn figures of devils and even the popular faces of politicians to ward off evil spirits, and in the memory of Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ.

This year, other effigies included US and Mexican presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Pena Nieto as well as a figure carrying an Islamic State banner.