A national cinema chain has banned the controversial anti-Euro advertisement which features a scene in which Rik Mayall dresses up as Adolf Hitler.

The French-owned UGC group says it will not be showing the 90-second film in its 42 UK cinemas, calling it "offensive".

"UGC cinemas use a strict policy and guidelines in deciding which adverts to play," a spokesman for the chain told BBC News Online.

"This advert does not fit in with those."

UGC has operated in the UK since 1999, when it bought the old Virgin Cinemas chain. As well as its French outlets it also owns screens in Ireland, Spain, Belgium and Italy.

The advert attracted protests when it was launched two weeks ago, due to Mayall's brief appearance as the Nazi leader

UGC cinemas use strict guidelines in deciding which adverts to play. This advert does not fit in with those

UGC Cinemas

He is seen addressing a rally with the statement "Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Euro!" - a reference to the Nazi slogan "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuehrer" (one people, one empire, one leader).

Leaders of the Jewish community, World War II veterans and the German embassy, as well as leading politicians, were among those who spoke out against the commercial, calling for it to be withdrawn unless the offending scenes were removed.

However, the film has been passed by the Advertising Standards Authority, and will be shown at UCI and Odeon cinemas across the UK over the next three months, where an estimated five million people will see it.

A spokesman for Odeon said: "The advertisement has been passed, and therefore it is fit to be shown."

Odeon will continue to screen the commercial

Comedians Harry Enfield, Vic Reeves and John Sessions, Irish rock star Bob Geldof and Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Kate Hoey are also among those who appear in the advert.

It was commissioned by the No campaign, which wants the UK to reject the single currency. It has defended the commercial as "harmless fun."