Nazi enthusiasts defy ban on SS uniforms at World War Two-themed celebration of Dambusters raid The event had people dressed as the notorious SS, despite a ban They wore the 'Death's Head' insignia, as well as uniforms The SS were one of the driving forces behind the Holocaust Last year German holidaymakers complained about the uniforms A ban on 'Nazis' attending a Second World War-themed event celebrating the Dambuster's anniversary failed to stop people strutting around in SS uniform over the weekend. Organisers of the 1940s Weekend at Haworth, West Yorkshire, faced complaints last year from a party of German tourists about the flaunting of regalia linked to the Holocaust. This year figures wearing leather coats and uniforms featuring the 'Death's Head' insignia of the SS camp guards were again spotted among the crowds. Sensitive issue: A man in SS uniform at the Haworth 1940s event. Organisers asked attendees not to wear the controversial garb Businesses in the town were given signs saying 'No Nazi or SS Insignia or Uniform on these premises' for this year's event Signs warning 'No Nazi or SS Insignia or uniforms on these premises' were displayed on shops, pubs and camp sites. Haworth is a tourist hotspot because of its links with the Bronte family and this year organisers were determined to avoid a repeat of last year's controversy. Businesses all over the town, were given signs saying Nazi or SS uniforms 'not welcome' in a bid to avoid 'unnecessary offence'. A participant in SS uniform at this year's event But again the event - which attracts 25,000 visitors a year and raises thousands of pounds for charity - was marred by visitors dressing up as members of Hitler's elite SS. As well as being notorious for their ruthlessness, the SS also guarded the concentration camps. One of the weekend organisers, Emma Cox, said those involved were getting more stubborn about flaunting their regalia every year. She said: 'This is a very controversial issue. Lots of people who come to the weekend are re-enactors recreating military, civilian, and other features of the era. Then there are people who come as spectators who are mainly local people but some from further afield. Every year there are a few people who come in SS Uniforms which is nothing to do with the re-enactments. It is just about getting dressed up as SS people. Some people find this quite upsetting in what is meant to be a celebration of the Home Front spirit. Apart from anything there would not have been any SS in England at the time. These people who come dressed as SS have been getting very uptight that other people do not want them to come. They seem to be getting more determined to get dressed up in their SS uniforms and this is an open and public event. So it is just not appropriate - or practical - to vet the thousands of people coming into the village. It is okay to come dressed as a German soldier. But everyone knows the SS was different. They were the people running the concentration camps. 'It's a problem because this is a public event which is supposed to be inclusive.' The 1940s weekend is an annual Second World War-themed event that has been running for 18 years Bronte Society Chairman Sally McDonald said: 'It is regrettable if they have attended in those sort of costumes. It is a tremendous weekend that brings all of Haworth together. So if offence is caused it more than unfortunate. It casts a bit of a shadow over what is a hugely successful weekend which raises a tremendous amount for charity. The people who organise it want to raise the profile of Haworth and raise money for charity. It brings in huge numbers of visitors to Haworth. If not everyone is in the correct spirit of the weekend that is most regrettable. The traders of Haworth put polite notices in the weekend asking people not to don these outfits. 'Let's hope in the future everyone respects what is being done and has fun in the right way.' Attendees are allowed to wear German military uniforms, but the SS is a sensitive matter because of their links to genocide and other horrific war crimes Land Girls: (From left) Karen Town, Julie Fletcher, Sarah Holbrook and Paula Calver Evacuees: Seven-year-old triplets (left to right) Jemima, Evie and Scarlet Hadley, from Leeds, in 1940s outfits Tommies: A group in in 1940s military outfits stoically ignore the rain to enjoy an outdoor snack Bygone style: Sarah Kissack (left), 19, and 18-year-old Gemma Whitaker in costume. Right, six-year-old Arron Lydon with a group of Land Girls Organisers have said there is no law against wearing the uniforms so it was not possible to impose an outright ban. This year's event was particularly sensitive since it was taking place on the 70th anniversary of the Dambuster's raid and included a Dambuster's theme. All proceeds raised from the weekend will be donated to the armed forces charity, the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families Association. It is hoped to match or exceed the £25,000 raised last year for Help for Heroes. A member of the SS prepares to shoot a Polish Jew Founded in 1925, the 'Schutzstaffel', German for 'Protective Echelon', initially served as Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguards, later becoming one of the most powerful and feared organizations in all of Nazi Germany. Heinrich Himmler, a militant anti-Semite, became head of the SS in 1929 and expanded the group's role and size. Recruits had to prove their 'racial purity' and were also taught they were the not only the elite of Nazi Party but also of all humankind. By the start of the Second World War the SS had more than 250,000 members and multiple subdivisions, engaged in activities ranging from intelligence operations to running Nazi concentration camps. The soldiers of the SS committed many atrocities during World War II. The concentration camp system was set up in the 1930s by Theodor Eicke of the SS. Thousands of SS men were also drafted to help exterminate the Jews of Eastern Europe, participating in mass killings or guarding ghetto districts where Jews from the west were concentrated before being sent to death camps. They played a major role in the mass murders in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943. Jews were routinely executed or maltreated in areas controlled by SS units. At the end of the war many leading members of the SS committed suicide. Those that were captured were tried at the Nuremburg war crimes trials.