The community has spoken of its outrage after almost 12,000 students joined a Facebook group promoting a drinking game which encourages participants to mock the Holocaust and dress up as Hitler.

Students at Huddersfield University allegedly created Hitler – The Drinking Game, which involves laying out cards in a swastika shape and members impersonating Hitler.

Each card carries a different meaning, including the “Hitler Card” where the person who draws the card “becomes Hitler” and other plays must refer to him as Hitler or Mein Fuhrer and the “Heil Hitler” card where the players must salute until somebody forfeits and must do a shot.

Creators of the Facebook group, which has since been shut down, called themselves “Fuhrers”, according to the Press Association.

According to PA, Professor Peter Slee, deputy vice-chancellor at the university, said inquiries would be made into the involvement of the students with the group.

He said: "We are shocked to hear about this game, and extremely disturbed at the allegations that students at this university have been taking part in it.

"This is a highly unusual incident and the university prides itself on its multi-cultural, cohesive campus.

"We will be investigating these allegations, which we take very seriously, and will take appropriate action once these investigations are complete."

Another group, Hitler Drinking Game, has since been set up by with more than 5,000 members.

Carly McKenzie, UJS campaigns director, said: “It’s a disgusting actions against an abhorrent historical event. Holocaust Memorial Day is just days away and this is a demonstration of the fact there is still so much work to be done on education.

“It’s a huge issue for this country if students – the leaders of tomorrow – are doing Heil Hitlers and making a mockery of a horrific point in history.”

Mark Gardner, of the Community Security Trust, said: “It would be easy to dismiss this as a stupid and offensive student stunt, but it is absolutely shocking that 12,000 people should have joined the Facebook group.

“This is another example of how electronic media is facilitating and normalising hatred. We welcome the university's proposed investigation.”