The gender pay gap has widened at nearly half of the UK's biggest employers, new figures have revealed.

Some 45 per cent of companies have seen an increase in the discrepancy between the pay of their male and female employees in the last year, according to an analysis of more than 10,000 firms.

Companies, charities and public sector departments with at least 250 employees had until midnight to file their pay comparison data to comply with legislation introduced two years ago.

Those which missed the deadline face enforcement action by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

A total of 78 per cent of firms have a pay gap which favours men and among the top three worst offenders was budget airline Easyjet, at 47.9 per cent.

Also in the top three were Countrywide Services at 60.6 per cent and Independent Vetcare at 48.3 per cent.

Firms which had the biggest increases in their pay gaps include garage chain Kwik Fit, Interserve FS and car retailer Inchape.

There was no change in the gender pay gap at seven per cent of companies, while 14 per cent had a gap which favoured women.

The companies which had the biggest improvement in their gender pay gaps were Newsquest Media Group, Mitie and DFDS Logistics.