The AA is to stop calling mechanics “men” after allegations of sexism, the company has announced.

Rachel Ellingham, a computer programmer, said she was stunned when she opened a letter from the motorists’ organisation confirming her renewal quote. It stated that “AA men are able to fix 8 out of 10 cars”.

Ms Ellingham, 37, from Pudsey, West Yorkshire, said it was a “damaging” example of everyday sexism and the kind of thing that may lead women to believe certain professions were not for them.

The AA denied it was sexist and said it had changed the phrasing to “AA men and women”. It added that the company was looking to change the specific genders to “mobile mechanics” in the next six months.

Ms Ellingham said: “I spotted the phrasing straight away. It popped up twice.

"The first time when it mentioned that you can ‘track the AA man on his way to you’ and again where it read ‘our AA men are able to fix 8 out of 10 cars’.