A NEW campaign to stop "manspreading" in Spain has vowed to stop "sexist" men encroaching on other seats while using public transport.

Fed up women are protesting online against blokes spreading their legs on the tube and taking up all the room - a practice dubbed "manspreading".

2 This commuter in London was shamed for 'man spreading' on a Tumblr blog highlighting the issue Credit: http://mentakingup2muchspaceonthetrain.tumblr.com/

2 Bus operator EMT is putting up new signs showing a seated male figure next to a big red cross Credit: Municipal Transport Company (EMT)

Annoyed Spanish locals have started the #Manspreading on Twitter and have launched a petition on Change.org against the male practice, saying it is seen all too often, especially in Madrid on the metro and on other public transport.

Dozens of pictures under the hashtag have shamed men blatantly spreading their legs and being inconsiderate on public transport in the country.

Hundreds of supporters have signed the petition with many complaining of having "no place to put your legs because the man who sits next to you occupies more of your space or literally becomes the owner of all of the seat".

MOST READ IN NEWS HAPPY MEAL McDonald’s worker pays customer’s bill after he calls mum to ask for her order Latest 'BIG FRIENDLY BEAR' 'True gent' sergeant shot dead by gunman who tried to kill 2 more cops Exclusive HAPPY MEAL McDonald’s worker who paid for lad’s meal has secretly bought food for MONTHS HERE WE SNOW! Leeds hit by SNOW as temps plummet to -5 as Brits brace for 65mph gusts today Latest LAST HURRAH Boozers hit the town before new lockdown in Leeds & Blackpool - is London next? NOW SHE’S LOCKED UP Mom jailed for locking 5 starving kids in wooden cages covered in poop

Another petition set up by a feminist group in Madrid last year gathered more than 12,000 signatures.

A bus operator in the capital city EMT has put up new signs showing a seated male figure with his legs extended next to a red cross.

EMT said they remind males "of the need to maintain civic behaviour and to respect the space of everyone on board the bus".

Similar campaigns in the United States and Japan have seen women take a stand against men spreading themselves, with some even saying the act is sexist.

¿Que los hombres no hacéis que? Además se ha sentado alguien a su lado, y ni se ha movido #Manspreading pic.twitter.com/cRxV4FWBwk — If You Ever Saw Her (@Abnocta) June 10, 2017

گام بزرگ حقوق زنان. مادرید گشاد نشستن #manspreading در اماکن عمومی و وسایل حمل‌ونقل شهری رو ممنوع کرد. به امید روزی که تو ایران هم ممنوع بشه pic.twitter.com/mZj2joHuta — Saman Sadeghi 🔕 (@samanoqo) June 10, 2017

One unnamed campaigner said: "Manspreading is not something that occurs sporadically, if you look you will notice that it is a very common practice.

"It is not difficult to see women with their legs closed and very uncomfortable because there is a man next to her who is invading her space with his legs.

"This is not about bad manners. Men transmit an idea of hierarchy and territoriality, as if space belonged to them."

Last month a new Facebook group emerged called Femspreading, which featured various hilarious pictures of women taking up too much space on public transport.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368