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An investigation has been launched after a notice appeared to tell staff at a high street store that they should only speak English during work hours.

The order, found in Sports Direct’s Bangor store, told staff that "English is the official language of the company and should be used at all times when carrying out company business, unless otherwise specified".

The notice continues: "It has come to our attention that some members of staff are speaking in languages other than English whilst carrying out their duties.

"We would like to take this opportunity to remind staff that they must speak in English at all times when they are at work, in order that they can be understood by all members of staff.

"This includes any personal conversations that may be taking place during work time."

The notice, which appeared in the shop on Saturday, claims that speaking any other language poses a variety of "risks" to the company, including "health and safety issues".

Staff are told that they are free to speak any language they wish "outside of work time".

Speaking after the notice attracted heavy criticism, Sports Direct issued a statement saying it was not an official company directive and that it is investigating where it came from.

A spokesman said: "Sports Direct is an International business, operating in many different jurisdictions.

"We encourage the use of the native language and would never instruct our staff otherwise. It is not company policy to restrict the use of the Welsh language or that of any other country."

Arfon AM Sian Gwenllian was among those who criticised the "discriminatory and offensive" notice.

She said: "In an area such as Bangor where there is a high number of Welsh speakers, it is highly likely that such a policy would deny staff members the right to converse in their own language.

"The fact that Sports Direct is attempting to roll out such a policy in a truly multilingual area such as Bangor reveals the company’s profound ignorance of the area and its social and cultural make-up."

Campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith called on the Welsh Language Commissioner to start an official inquiry.

Manon Elin, of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: "These reports are genuinely shocking. Since 2011, it has been illegal for companies to stop people speaking Welsh with one another.

"We have contacted the Welsh Language Commissioner asking for her to begin an inquiry straight away."

Welsh speaker and professional translator Ben Screen said: "Despite using polite language and the excuse of health and safety, this is nothing but a violent denial of a basic human right - to speak your own language, in your own community, in your own country."