A SNOWFLAKE student union has banned cowboy outfits and a host of other fancy dress costumes because they could be 'offensive'.

Kent Union, which says it speaks for around 20,000 students at the University of Kent in Canterbury, claims that "dressing up as a particular race, culture or stereotype is offensive".

7 Kent University's student union have banned Cowboys and Indians fancy dress because it 'threatens their safe space' Credit: Getty - Contributor

New rules published by the union go on to say wearing such costumes 'will not be tolerated'.

Mexican-style sombreros and fancy dress 'chav' outfits are among the other costumes banned by the killjoy student chiefs.

But bizarrely, they don't mind people dressing up as doctors and nurses, cavemen, aliens, Ancient Greeks or Romans.

The bizarre new rules come just weeks after the University of Manchester students union banned clapping at official ceremonies as it may trigger people with anxiety.

7 The union at the Canterbury university has said it will not tolerate dressing up as cowboys Credit: Alamy

7 But dressing up as Ancient Greeks is perfectly fine, according to the union Credit: Getty - Contributor

University of Kent Students Union said: "We empower students to be creative, whilst also ensuring all students feel welcome and safe.

"Students groups are free to engage in fancy dress whilst ensuring they abide by the Fancy Dress Guidelines which include being offensive, discriminatory and prejudice to an individual’s race, gender, disability or sexual orientation or based on stereotypes."

Costumes of celebrities known for their 'sexual misconduct or abuse of power' have also been banned, including the disgraced DJ Jimmy Savile and movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

Students have also been warned against dressing up as a gender or sexuality they do not identify with 'if the purpose is to belittle'.

7 The union has also warned against dressing as a gender the costume wearer does not identify with Credit: Getty - Contributor

7 Mexican fancy dress is also strictly prohibited Credit: Alamy

They also prohibit outfits with 'historical or religious themes' including 'the Crusades, Nazi uniform, ISIS bomber, Israeli soldier and The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)'.

Dressing as a 'chav' is also discouraged, as is choosing an outfit based on a political group stereotype - such as Harry Enfield's Tory Boy 'Loadsamoney' character.

The union says "Fancy Dress themes should also not be centred around political group stereotypes or the stereotypes of different levels of perceived class in the means to diminish their worth or validity.

"This again would promote an unsafe and exclusive campus to which we do not tolerate."

7 Dressing as Ancient Romans, on the other hand, is permitted Credit: Alamy

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Local dad-of-two Rob Lyndhurst, 33, said "What nitwits - to think these are supposed to be among the brightest young people in Britain.

"I've got two young boys and they love to play cowboys and Indians, just like I did when I was a lad.

"There's absolutely no harm in it, and I'm sure my boys don't feel their space is threatened."

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