Officials at a students’ union have claimed the use of a Nazi logo in advertising material for a German-themed social event was “a genuine mistake”.

Students at Aberystwyth University in Wales complained after the advert appeared on Facebook featuring an SS emblem.

The Bierkeller event is due to take place later this month featuring German-themed attractions including a lederhosen band.

The online publicity material showed an SS logo between English and Welsh translations on the poster.

In a statement issued on Monday evening the students’ union apologised “for any offence caused”.

“Aberystwyth Students’ Union very much regret that this symbol appeared on a social media posting and can assure you that it was a genuine mistake that was simply used to separate the Welsh and English text.

“It was removed as soon as it came to our attention. This has not appeared on any of the official promotional material.”