Love Italian in Hessle, Hull, has advertised for two telephonists to work evenings and, in the ad posted in its window, says: "Two girls needed. 5-9. Apply within." Bosses said women are better at the job but the advert has been widely condemned.

       When approached by Hull Live, a manager said: "We only need the girls on the phone. It is not something about being dodgy (it's) because a man cannot do this job and that’s why we are asking for girls.

       "We tried before and they didn’t turn up for work and wouldn’t answer their phone. It’s happened a few times before."

       Writing online, Facebook users slammed the ad as "sexist".

       One person shared: "Why girls? And not staff?"

       One woman wrote: "Still sexist...what reason for girls? Any gender can answer a phone."

       Another Facebook user wrote: "Disgusting!"

       One man shared: "For you all wanting equal opportunities, it seems like a pretty one-sided advert - all them poor young lads can't even get a job on the phone, unbelievable."

       Another comment says: "Pretty sure that’s sexism."

       When Portuguese restaurant Delicias Do Rei opened in Spalding, Lincolnshire, it was criticised for advertising for female staff but the business owner defended the decision.

       She said: "I have two boys here at the moment as well as my husband who is the chef. I just want to make that equal.

       "If a man came in with the right skills I would employ him - I want someone good."