Two men wearing Nazi uniform were ejected from a wartime-themed bank holiday event after organisers pledged to crack down on displays of Nazi regalia.

East Lancashire Railway (ELR) had barred enthusiasts attending its annual 1940s family fun day from wearing Germany military costume after complaints from Holocaust survivors and MPs.

Following a meeting with Jewish communal leaders, the organisers had said they would hire security staff to prevent anyone flouting the ban.

In previous years, men wearing SS uniform and dressed as high-ranking Nazis attended the event. They were absent this year, but staff had to throw out two men, one of whom was dressed as a Nazi general.

The organisers had promised that uniforms worn by actors hired to re-enact battle scenes would be vetted but some sported swastikas and the SS death’s head symbol, while a vendor at ELR’s depot at Bury station was seen selling Nazi daggers emblazoned with swastikas.

ELR promised an investigation but chairman Peter Duncan said its tough measures had been successful. Most of the actors had been “well behaved,” he said, “although some chose to try it on”.