Transport for London is embroiled in a body shaming controversy after a noticeboard told passengers to 'dress for the body they have'.

The offensive message was written on a whiteboard at Blackhorse Road tube station in North London on Saturday.

The message said: 'During the heatwave please dress for the body you have...Not for the body you want!'

TFL has now been forced to apologise, describing the 'joke' as 'ill-judged' and 'insensitive' and an investigation has been launched.

The notice was written as part of TFL's 'Thought of the day' trend which sees station staff leave inspirational quotes and sayings for their customers, however, this one was far from inspirational.

TFL has been accused of 'body shaming' after telling customers to 'dress for the body you have... Not the body you want!'

The notice was spotted by baker Michael Hawkes who shared his outrage on Twitter

Award-winning baker Michael Hawkes was first to spot the notice on Saturday and took to Twitter to share his outrage.

Sharing a photo of the board he tweeted: 'Way to body shame TFL.'

The tweet garnered plenty of attention with fellow passengers equally appalled by the notice.

One wrote: 'I am so very tired of TFL wit and wisdom. Especially when neither is demonstrated'.

His tweet quickly caught the attention of fellow TFL customers who were equally appalled

Agreeing another added: 'Thanks for pointing this out. Larger people need to keep cool too'.

Hawkes later received a response from TFL who apologised on behalf of the station for the slip-up.

In a tweet it said: 'Sorry that this was put up at Blackhorse Road.

'We've flagged it up to the station who've now removed the message. Thanks for letting us know about this.'

TFL later contacted Hawkes to apologise for the sign, assuring him that the message had now been removed

Responding to the tweet Hawkes replied: 'Thank you. I can't believe it was put up in the first place though. Unacceptable.'

Speaking to the MailOnline TFL spokesperson said: 'We apologise unreservedly to customers who were offended by the insensitive message on the whiteboard at Blackhorse Road station.

'Our staff across the network share messages on these boards, but in this instance the message was clearly ill-judged and it has been removed.

'An investigation is underway to establish who thought such an unacceptable message was a good idea, so that the appropriate action can be taken.'

This is not the first time that TFL has caused a stir with a poorly thought out message.

In February TFL came under fire for a 'joke' about suffragette Emily Davison's husband 'not getting his tea' on the day she died

The 'sexist' quip was spotted by commuter Evelyn Clegg - the day after the 100-year anniversary of women getting the vote in Britain

In February the company apologised for a 'hugely misjudged joke' about suffragette Emily Davison's husband 'not getting his tea' on the day she died.

The 'sexist' quip was spotted by commuter Evelyn Clegg - the day after the 100-year anniversary of women getting the vote in Britain.

The 30-year-old was appalled at what was written at Colliers Wood Station, south London and called on TfL to remove it.

Transport bosses were forced to apologise about the 'joke', which read: '100 years ago, suffragette Emily Davison died after throwing herself in front of the King's Horse.

'History remembers her as being influential in giving women the right to vote.

'What history doesn't remember is her husband, who didn't get his tea that night!'