Image caption The BBC apologised for the episode, shown on BBC Two on 30 January

An episode of Top Gear in which its presenters mocked Mexicans will be cut before the show is broadcast in the US.

Last week the BBC apologised for the show, in which Richard Hammond alleged they were "feckless [and] flatulent" and Jeremy Clarkson poked fun at the Mexican ambassador to London.

Eduardo Medina Mora later complained to the corporation about the comments.

A BBC spokeswoman said shows like Top Gear were "routinely edited for international transmission".

Top Gear is shown in the US on the BBC America channel. The episode in question will be broadcast next week, without the "news" section in which the comments were made.

The section in question sees the trio of presenters discuss new cars and indulge in light-hearted banter.

In last Sunday's Observer, comedian Steve Coogan said the show's broadcast on 30 January suggested the BBC had a "tolerance of casual racism".

In a letter to Mr Medina Mora, the corporation said it was sorry if it had offended some people, adding that jokes based on national stereotypes were part of Britain's indigenous humour.