A village's annual war-time re-enactment has been scrapped because organisers fear it will cause offence.

The event has run for 25 years in the village of Levisham as part of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway's event called Railway in Wartime, which pulls in tourists in their thousands.

Traditionally Levisham is transformed into 'Le Visham', a German-occupied French village, featuring actors wearing Nazi uniforms.

Past years have seen actors dressed as German soldiers patrolling the platform at Levisham station outside the Cafe du Bois.

But this year the railway's operators have pulled that part of the event out of its schedule citing the Equalities Act and the need to consider 'diversity and possible offence.'

This World War II reenactor dressed as a German Nazi soldier for the 25th 'Railway in Wartime Event' along the line of the heritage North Yorkshire Moors Railway last year

German military re-enactors stand on the platform at Levisham, renamed Le Visham - playing a German-occupied French city during the Second World War

A re-enactor dressed as a German Army soldier stands guard on the platform as a young girl looks from the carriage window at last year's event

The annual three-day event traditionally sees each station on the line transformed to create a variety of scenarios and performances.

These include a wartime street in Pickering, Home Guard demonstrations at Goathland and an RAF-themed event in Grosmont with a replica Spitfire.

One re-enactor, who asked not to be named, said their role was to bring history to life for the public and to help educate people, particularly children.

He said: 'It's like going into a museum, but this is a living museum. We are historical educators of the public.

'We put our heart and soul into it and we're all so disappointed.'

Another re-enactor, Neil Robertson, said: 'Both the re-enactment community and the station volunteers are saddened by the board's decision, but we respect it.

'We would like to thank the thousands of people we have entertained and hopefully educated over the years and hope people continue to support the show and contribute to its continued success.

World War II re-enactors march along the line of the heritage North Yorkshire Moors Railway in Pickering, another station on the line

Re-enactors dressed as German Army soldiers stand guard on the platform at Levisham

The annual three-day event traditionally sees each station on the line transformed to create a variety of scenarios and performances

A boy dressed as a war evacuee looks out from the window of a railway carriage during the North Yorkshire Moors Railway 1940s Wartime Weekend last year

'On behalf of the re-enactment community, I would like to formally thank NYMR and especially the volunteers of the Levisham Station group for their support over the last 12-years and wish them well for the future.'

History enthusiast Lee Hayward, 44, a past visitor to the event, said: 'This is a disgrace. I have some photos of the 'German occupied' Levisham a few years back.

'My kids were fascinated and educated. It was tastefully done with dedicated, forward-thinking people taking part.

'To be asked for my papers, in German, when I got off the train was a real palpable shock. The German soldier shouted it at us.

'It immediately transported myself and whole family into what it must have been like living on occupied France and made us grateful of the sacrifice made for the freedoms we currently have.

'You can't expunge history.

'It is an event all locals look forward to. I fear the boycott itself would irreparably harm the event and local business which thrives from it.'

Past years have seen actors dressed as German soldiers patrolling the platform at Levisham station outside the Cafe du Bois

One re-enactor (not pictured) said their role was to bring history to life for the public and to help educate people, particularly children

This year the railway's operators have pulled that part of the event out of its schedule citing the Equalities Act and the need to consider 'diversity and possible offence'

North Yorkshire County Councillor Janet Sanderson, whose ward includes Levisham, said: 'It has grown greatly in recent years, it began as a bit of fun and now we have people attending who travel from war re-enactment to war re-enactment.

'To some people it could be offensive, though it wasn't to begin with.

'You do get comments from some such as 'my father fought in the war, what right does he have to wear that uniform?'

'And small details become important to people. I heard one person say that if one of the actors had really served in the army he would have known to take off his hat when entering a public house.

Other people commented on social media, expressing their anger.

Brenda Stripe, from York, said: 'Absolutely ridiculous!!! How are the young people supposed to learn about history if we are not able to teach them, in case someone is offended!! I think that this situation is taking political correctness just a step too far!!'

Jon Downes said: 'Where has people's fire gone? Sod respecting stupid decisions! Fight to keep it going. Make some noise! Half of this country would lay down and die if we ever had a proper war again!'

Gloria Biggs said: 'I'm offended by the fact that certain people will be. Pathetic world we live in. It happened for goodness sake. The war weekend has been very successful if people are offended stay away. Who cares what they think?'

An actor playing a German soldier stands on the platform at Levisham station in Yorkshire

In Grosmont, an RAF theme took over the village. Visitors had a chance to see a plotting room, where an RAF monitor and dispersal hut were on display, as well as a replica Spitfire

Families and children dressed in 1940s attire walk through the streets of Pickering

People walk dogs through Pickering as they take part in last year's wartime re-enactment

In explaining the decision, a spokesman for the NYMR said: 'Expectations currently reflected in the recent Equalities Act mean that the charity must avoid causing offence to any section of the public.

'Due to the trust's obligation to consider diversity and possible offence, careful consideration has been taken to decide whether it is right for the German re-enactment at Levisham Station to continue.

'The railway will now consult with the volunteers to deliver an alternative event that continues to educate passengers on the Second World War, with a focus on inclusion and fun for all the family.'

The inclusion of Nazi costumes in wartime reenactments has proved controversial over the years in the UK.

The Public Order Act 1936 prohibits the wearing of political uniforms in public places or meetings and was passed to combat extremist movements, most notably Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists.

The act was most recently used against Britain First leader Paul Golding and deputy leader Jayda Fransen in 2015 and 2016, due to the far-right group's tendency to dress in green jackets and black flat caps.

But the wearing of Nazi uniforms as part of wartime reenactments is legal in the UK and tends to be a matter for those managing the events to judge.

In 2011 Nazi uniforms were banned from a World War II railway event in Bury, Greater Manchester, with East Lancashire Railway bosses citing Prestwich's prevalent Jewish community as a reason for the banning of swastikas and other insignia.