A row has broken out ahead of Remembrance Sunday after civilians were banned from marching past the Cenotaph for the first time.

The Royal British Legion has decided that only military veterans or bereaved family members will be welcome to join this year’s parade, the Telegraph has learned.

The move has caused widespread “hurt and dismay” among charities who have taken part in the march for decades, insiders revealed last night.

But the Legion, which organises the annual commemoration, insisted the decision had not been “taken lightly” and would ensure priority for veterans and their families.

Around 10,000 people will march past the Cenotaph on Whitehall shortly after the Remembrance service on Sunday morning. Many associations including the Blue Cross, RNLI and British Red Cross have been part of the parade for decades because of their contribution to the war effort.

Earlier this year, however, they received an unexpected message from the Royal British Legion warning that civilian volunteers with no connection to the Armed Forces were no longer invited.

Since then, many organisations have been frantically searching for members with military backgrounds to meet the new criteria.

Some appear to have found the task more difficult than others. A Girlguiding spokesman confirmed no Girl Guides would join the parade this year “for the first time we can remember”.