The former leader of an SS reenactment group which caused uproar at a 1940s weekend last year has confirmed he will not be attending the event this month.

Jim Keeling was part of the Eastern Front Living History Group whose members were confronted by furious locals at Sheringham's 1940s festival last September.

The group - wearing Waffen SS uniforms with swastikas and death's head badges - upset onlookers who said they were goose-stepping along the high street and performing straight-armed salutes.

Amid rowdy scenes, police and event marshals escorted them back to their camp for their own safety and they were asked not to return.

Following the furore organisers have introduced a ban on Axis uniforms for this month's event, which starts on September 20.

Jim Keeling outside of The Lobster Pub in Sheringham at last year's Sheringham 1940s WeekendJim Keeling outside of the Lobster Pub in Sheringham at last year's 1940s Weekend (Image: Newsquest)

However, Mr Keeling -  who lives in Bradwell near Great Yarmouth - said he would not be attending - in any sort of costume.

The 54-year-old said he had left the group and "cut all ties" with it, having fallen out with many of its members.

"I have fallen out with many old friends from the group who hold beliefs I do not agree with," he said.

"I shall not be attending the event, and I cannot speak for the rest of the group because I do not move in those circles anymore.

"I had to cut ties with them and do not want to be associated with them."

Jim Keeling conducing a Nazi salute in the direction of the Berghof in GermanyJim Keeling performing a Nazi salute in the direction of the Berghof in Germany (Image: Newsquest)

The group has not posted on its Facebook page for almost a year and has been contacted for comment.

Mr Keeling's own actions and political views came under scrutiny last year, following the Sheringham incident, when it emerged that months earlier he had visited Adolf Hitler's summer retreat in the Bavarian Alps and been photographed performing a Nazi salute.

Giving the Nazi salute in Germany is illegal and punishable with a six-month prison sentence.

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He had also shared an anti-Semitic cartoon on his Instagram, showing a stereotypical Jewish figure wearing a yarmulke skullcap, stuffing Africa into an EU-emblazoned funnel to squeeze it into Europe. 

Mr Keeling, a diving instructor and father of four, claimed at the time that he had been mocking the Nazi dictator by saluting and did not share his views.

His deep interest in the Third Reich has estranged him from some of his family.

His eldest son, Jeremy, described the re-enactment's actions in Sheringham last year as "disturbing" and called on the organisers to ensure there was no repeat of the scenes this year.

Jim Keeling pictured in Nazi military uniform during a re-enactmentJim Keeling pictured in Nazi military uniform during a re-enactment (Image: Submitted)

The Eastern Front Living History group previously claimed its appearance at the Sheringham 1940s weekend was misunderstood.

It said it had been to previous events without causing controversy and that it did not tolerate "any politics or any form of religious persecution".

It said it was trying to educate people about history and that its presence had been appreciated by many in the town.

The group re-enact the 5th SS Division Wiking (Viking), which was recruited from countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

It was led by German officers and fought the Soviet Red Army on the Eastern Front. The unit has also been accused of war crimes against Jews.

Group dressed as SS soldiers at Sheringham 1940s festival Group dressed as SS soldiers at Sheringham 1940s festival (Image: Submitted)