Station commander Group Captain Ro Atherton has told troops to keep a low profile after taking advice from RAF police.

The move – which has come to light after a Birmingham man was jailed for planning to kidnap and behead a British Army soldier – was described as a "sad day for the city" by mayor Marion Todd.

She said: "I honestly think it's despicable.

"It's a sad day for the city and for the country when the RAF can't wear their uniforms, particularly when they hold the Freedom of the City honour.

"A small minority of people shouldn't be able to dictate to us, particularly at the moment when we are so proud of what they (the forces) are doing, serving queen and country."

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Cllr Todd, whose great-nephew, James Goldthorpe, is currently serving in Afghanistan with the army, added: "The vast majority of people are right behind them and know that they are just doing their jobs.

"This is a slight against them and the many families with young people out there."

RAF Wittering, near Stamford, has imposed the uniform ban in the city after incidents stretching back over about seven months.

Base spokesman Squadron Leader Tony Walsh said a number of personnel who lived in the city and its outskirts had suffered abuse when openly wearing their uniforms.

The verbal attacks had come from a "cross-section" of the community, he added, and were believed to be linked to the RAF's current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He stressed that the decision to prohibit uniforms in the city was a local one made by station commander Group Captain Atherton after she took advice from RAF police.

It ran counter to the general policy of allowing uniforms to be worn more widely, which followed the easing of tensions in Northern Ireland.

Sqn Leader Walsh said: "We have tried to encourage it more since the ending of the terrorist campaign, and want the local population to see us in our uniforms, as many people don't know what they look like."

Leader of the city council councillor John Peach, said: "It's a sad development.

"We have always had a good relationship with RAF Wittering."

The uniform ban has emerged after Parviz Khan, from Birmingham, was jailed after he was recorded planning to kidnap and kill a British Army soldier.

Currently, 150 men from RAF Wittering are serving in the conflict in Afghanistan. The personnel from No 3 Regiment (3 Sqn RAF Regt) are engaged in protecting Kandahar Airport against Taliban attacks.

Special Report: RAF uniform row, March 2008 - www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/wearitwithpride.