A controversial job advert has sparked debate by asking, is it "time for your husband to get a new job?".

The now-deleted post says Gravesham council is "recruiting a range of trades" - but makes no mention of female workers.

A screenshot of the ad was posted in the Gravesend News Facebook group, and commenters have slammed so-called "snowflakes" for suggesting it is sexist.

One commenter said: "Most trades people are men so there's no issue at all with this post.

"The real issue is that people have got nothing better to do than make a big deal over nothing to cause drama."

Another added: "If that said wife instead of husband, nothing would be said.

"This is getting beyond a joke - I think for the future everything needs to be for the women, otherwise the sexism card is brought up."

However, the woman who originally posted the screenshot, said she only intended to highlight the "hypocritical" nature of the ad.

She commented: "It's about the fact the government make a rule about people not [being] allowed to be sexist, yet they themselves go and write an advertisement being sexist."

The post makes up part of a larger recruitment campaign, as the council invests more than £1m in expanding its building management team.

A spokesman for Gravesham council said: "The advert wasn't meant to cause offence in any way and we apologise if it has.

"It is one of a range of promoted adverts on Facebook looking at raising awareness of the jobs on offer.

"The range of adverts feature images of both male and female workers. This particular advert features a male and was targeted at married females.

"Other adverts, also targeted at a female audience, feature a female plumber and there are many other variations.

"However, we understand by not seeing the range of adverts, this one has caused offence and so we immediately removed this advert and will revise all future adverts.

"We do not wish to cause any offence, and we hope this does not detract from the great opportunities on offer."