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A Jimmy Savile-themed fancy dress float has won a prize in an annual Scottish parade.
It featured a man dressed up as the disgraced former presenter, surrounded by others in schoolgirl uniforms, and took third place in the Best Vehicle category, despite being roundly branded "offensive and insensitive".
The Jim'll Fix It themed float was entered into the Lauder Common Riding event in the Scottish borders by members of the local Twenty 10 Club on July 31.
The Jimmy Savile-themed float took third place in the Best Vehicle category
Thought to be one of the UK's most prolific sexual predators, Savile has more than 200 criminal offences recorded against his name, including more than 30 rapes.
Gregory Kynoch from Edinburgh was in the crowd and said the stunt was "inappropriate" and "out of order" on the Facebook page of the Lauder Common Riding committee the following day.
He wrote: "One of your floats thought it would be 'funny' to do a cover of the theme tune from Jim with Fix it, and thought this would be seen as humour? Am sorry, in light of the events surrounding that programme and the revelations since it I feel that was a step WAY over the line.
"What I hoped would be a pleasant night and a good memory has now been tainted. I can see a lot of work went into the parade but fear that will be the outstanding memory for all who had the misfortune to witness it.
Jimmy Savile Abuse Timeline
"Humour is funny. That was just out of order."
The former student of Edinburgh Napier University also said he would not attend the event again.
In support of his message, Margaret Ryles also wrote a comment on the social networking site about the use of Jimmy Savile for fancy dress.
She said: "I feel there was no respect for those who were abused by this very sick sick man...and I think it was in very bad taste, offensive and insensitive."
Concern was also expressed by local politician Christine Grahame MSP whose constituency includes Lauder.
She said: "While I wouldn't want to censor anyone, I think that this has been a serious misjudgment.
"These gala days are fun, family days and I think it was in poor taste to have done this. The people involved have shown bad judgment and I hope that they reflect upon the offence that their actions will have caused to many people."
In response to the comments the organisers said: "Lauder Common Riding Committee is responsible for running one of the oldest and largest equestrian events in Europe.
"Our main aim is to ensure this event is run safely and for the enjoyment of spectators and the many hundreds who take part in all our events. This we have done very successfully both this year and in the past.
"Our fancy dress parade is only one element of our week and is a long-standing tradition. We have never censored anyone who has entered the event. It is up to the individuals who enter and their conscience to decide how they wish to express themselves and approach the event.
"People spectate and take part of their own free will. This year we did not receive any complaints about any of the entrants.
"We are obviously dismayed and understand that people are upset by the coverage one of the entries has received; however, we would reiterate that the committee does not condone or condemn the individual's right to enter the parade in their own way."