TOWN hall bosses have been accused of "misguided political correctness" after removing a historic photograph of a blacked-up Minstrel group from a public information board.

Eastbourne Borough Council said it took down the picture of Uncle Ben’s Eastbourne Minstrels after receiving a number of complaints.

But theatre historians have condemned the decision as trying to "re-write history".

Professor John Pick - an expert of the town's theatrical history - said: "Eastbourne should be proud of its rich theatrical history and should not, from some misguided notion of political correctness, attempt to rewrite it.

"We ask that the photograph of the Minstrel Troupe be put back where it belongs."

The illustration had been included on an information board on the promenade devoted to the entertainment forms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

It has now been replaced with a picture of a Pierrot show.

The boards are part of a heritage trail which aims to shine a light on the history of an overlooked area east of the pier.

It was funded with £47,000 from the £2 million Coastal Communities Fund pledged to Eastbourne by former Prime Minister David Cameron when he visited the town days after the pier blaze in summer 2014.

Theatre historians John Pick, as well as Edward Thomas and Brian Freeland, have spent years researching, publishing and talking about Eastbourne’s theatrical history and are livid at what they call an act of censorship.

Eastbourne Borough Council said it consulted project lead Alan Wenham, chair of the East of the Pier Group, before agreeing to replace the image.

But Mr Wenham told The Argus he disagreed with the decision, adding: "Following a complaint, I was asked for my view about changing it and said that it should remain as it would be unwise and inappropriate to sanitise history in this way.

"This view was sent in writing. I would add that the entire content of the boards was formally 'signed off' by a senior manager prior to production."

A council spokesman said: "Please be assured that Eastbourne is proud of its rich theatrical heritage and the replacement image captures this.

"The Heritage Trail is a fantastic project that has been well received by both residents and visitors and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that contributed to the content of both the Heritage Trail and the history corners."

HISTORICAL INSIGHT INTO PHOTOGRAPH

MINSTREL shows were an American form of entertainment developed in the 19th century made up of comic skits, variety acts, dancing and music performed by white people with “blackface” make-up.

The shows lampooned black people as dimwitted, lazy, buffoonish, superstitious, happy-go-lucky and musical.

Though popular, they were also controversial and condemned for falsely showing happy slaves.

But theatre historians John Pick, Edward Thomas and Brian Freeland believe the decision to remove the minstrel photo in Eastbourne opens up a “can of cultural worms”.

Prof Pick said: “Research has shown that most of the early minstrel troupes in the USA, and a certain number performing in UK resorts, comprised black, not made-up white, faces.

“Whether the personnel involved were black or white, burnt cork was applied to the faces of all.”