Leprosy support groups have successfully campaigned for the removal of a gag in upcoming Aardman Animations film The Pirates! in which a victim of the disease loses a limb as a result of his condition.

The Bristol-based company moved to remove the offending scene following complaints from leprosy groups including Lepra Health in Action and the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP). The scene was featured prominently in a trailer for the stop motion 3D feature, which features the voices of Hugh Grant, David Tennant and Salma Hayek.

"After reviewing the matter, we decided to change the scene out of respect and sensitivity for those who suffer from leprosy," an Aardman spokesperson told Deadline. "The last thing anyone intended was to offend anyone and it is clear to us that the right way to proceed is to honour the efforts made by organisations like LEPRA and the World Health Organisation to educate the public about this disease."

The scene depicts the Hugh Grant-voiced Pirate Captain storming a ship in search of booty, only to be informed by one of its occupants: "Afraid we don't have any gold, old man, this is a leper boat. See …" The speaker's arm then drops off.

Lepra Health in Action praised the film-makers' respect and sensitivity, saying it was "genuinely delighted that Aardman has decided to amend the film".

The Pirates!, which is directed by Aardman's Peter Lord and Jeff Newitt from a screenplay by Gideon Defoe, writer of the book series upon which the film is based, is out in the UK and US in March. Its full UK title is The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, while in the US and elsewhere it is titled The Pirates! Band of Misfits.