Germany can no longer afford state aid to help yodellers buy lederhosen - the traditional leather shorts of the Alpine region - the Bavarian government has said.

The Alpine state has axed the subsidy, which according to local newspaper reports amounted to 13% per garment, sparking outcry from the country’s 300,000 traditional folk groups.

The Government had previously provided the groups, which are now threatening to boycott the opening parade of the Munich Oktoberfest, with half a million Euros in funds.

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