Members of the Jewish community are angry that swastika jewellery is being sold by a Hampstead auction house.

They say that the gold and diamond swastika-shaped pendant is highly offensive and should be withdrawn from next Tuesday’s sale at Hampstead Auctions, in Heath Street.

Jessica Learmond-Criqui, who lives in Hampstead, said: “The swastika is a symbol of man’s inhumanity to man and in itself is an incitement to racial hatred.

“I invite the sale room to remove it from its catalogue. In our society, intolerance currently flourishes and it behoves each and every one of us to safeguard our way of life lest it be taken from us one by one.”

Auctioneer Colin Smith, said the 18-carat gold piece, with a 0.7 carat diamond, is expected to fetch between £50 and £80.

It is being sold by a local family following the death of a relative.

Mr Smith was uncertain of the exact date of the pendant, but believes it is pre-1940 and is English rather than German due to the cut of the diamond and its hallmark.

He said: “This particular piece may not be from the Nazi era, or even from Germany. The swastika symbol is used by many other cultures. But we do auction Nazi memorabilia when it comes along. It is of historic importance and there is quite a market for it.”