Organisers of a popular 1940s festival have banned attendees from wearing Nazi uniforms, after a group dressed as SS soldiers caused uproar last year.
Officials behind the festival in Sheringham, Norfolk, have updated their rules this year to say that anyone dressed in German military uniforms will be refused entry.
Last year’s event made headlines around the country after a group of re-enactors dressed as a Waffen SS unit were confronted by angry locals.
They were accused of goose-stepping along the high street and performing straight-armed salutes.
Event marshals stepped in to ask the men from Eastern Front Living History to leave and police officers intervened to usher them out of the town and back to their campsite.
Organisers have declined to discuss their updated rules but ahead of this year’s festival have posted a notice on their website.
It reads: ‘It is not permitted to wear German military uniforms or those of other Axis nations – visitors dressed in such uniforms will be refused entry.’
Members of the Eastern Front Living History Group previously said the incident had been overblown and that only one ‘intoxicated’ person had objected to their presence.
They claimed that one of their members was ‘attacked’ by a man who was ‘foaming at the mouth’ and ‘screaming about Jewish persecution’.
The group added: ‘As a group we do not tolerate any politics or any form of religious persecution. We simply won’t have it. That behaviour disgusts us and tarnishes what we do.’
The group re-enacted the 5th SS Division Wiking (Viking), which was recruited from countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
It was led by German officers and fought the Soviet Red Army on the Eastern Front. The unit has also been accused of war crimes against Jews.
The 1940s weekend was first organised by the North Norfolk Railway several years ago and attracts 25,000 people with many in period dress.
It is a celebration of the 1940s, with many people dressing in clothing from the era, with classic vehicles on show and historical displays taking place.
It will take place from September 20 to 22.
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