A receptionist has been banned from working at a top City firm because she was wearing flat shoes instead of high heels.

Nicola Thorp, an actress who signed up with a temping agency, was told she could not work as a receptionist at PricewaterhouseCoopers without donning 'more feminine' attire.

When she protested, agency bosses told her it was the 'female grooming policy' that all women should wear heels measuring at least 2in.

Now Miss Thorp, 27, has set up a petition calling for the dress code to be banned, while accountancy giant PwC has insisted that its staff are free to wear what they want.

Fury: Nicola Thorp was told she could not work as a receptionist while wearing flat shoes

The actress from East London, who has appeared in Doctor Who, was employed by Portico, an agency specialising in reception services, and signed up for a job at PwC.

But when she arrived in flat black shoes, she was told that she either had to buy new footwear or leave without being paid.

'They said they had a policy that all women had to wear high heels at reception,' Ms Thorp said. 'They said I could go out and buy a pair of two to four inch heels or go home.

'I was expected to do a nine-hour shift meeting and greeting clients, but I wasn't prepared to be on my feet all day in heels and I wasn't going to do that.

'When I refused to wear them they laughed at me. I pointed out that I felt discriminated against and I left feeling upset and confused.

'Portico told me that I could wear trousers, but that the client prefers it if you wear a skirt.'

Petition: The budding actress is lobbying the Government to change the law on dress codes

Contrast: Miss Thorp was told she had to wear heels of at least 2in, rather than flats

The equality watchdog today described the requirement to wear heels as 'outdated sexism' and said it would consider taking action against the agency.

In addition to high heels, Miss Thorp was told by Portico that she had to wear make-up that fitted on to a colour chart of 'acceptable shades'.

She added: 'I defy anyone to give me a reason as to why it's beneficial to wear high heels. I don't think it affects my job or how smart I was looking.

'These dress codes are in place because of old fashioned stereotypes of women. People say that heels are just more feminine, but why should I need to express my gender at work?

'People have said to me before that they just need someone pretty for people to look at in reception. Lots of my friends have had the same thing happen with them.

'Things need to change. I think this is a small step in terms of equality and women's rights. It's opened up questions about being a woman and what's expected of you.'

'I believe that women deserve equality with men and our feelings should not just be disregarded.'

Sexism: Miss Thorp claimed that the policy was a form of discrimination against women

Investigation: PricewaterhouseCoopers is now reviewing the policy after Miss Thorp's complaint

Miss Thorp's petition on the Government's official website has attracted more than 25,000 signatures, and she is hoping to get the issue debated in Parliament.

She said: 'I've been told by the employment discrimination advice service that because men don't usually wear high heels in non-work life, yet women do, it is not sex discrimination to expect women to wear high heels.

'My agency said they will only send me to sites that accept women in flat shoes and will tell them I have a back injury but I rejected this. I shouldn't have to pretend to have a back injury because I'm a female.'

Miss Thorp appeared in two episodes of Doctor Who in 2013, playing the mother of The Doctor's companion Clara Oswald in flashback scenes.

A spokesman for PwC said: 'PwC outsources its front of house/reception services to a third party supplier.

'The dress code referenced in the article is not a PwC policy. PwC staff are not expected to wear heels, it is very much dependent on the scenario.

'Women are expected to dress smartly and we do not have a dress code policy. For us it's down to the individual for what they want to wear.'

Star: Miss Thorp pictured in an episode of Doctor Who alongside Matt Smith, who played The Doctor

Appearance: The actress starred in two episodes as the mother of The Doctor's companion Clara Oswald

Portico has vowed to review the policy, saying: 'In line with industry standard practice, Portico has personal appearance guidelines across many of our corporate locations.

'These policies ensure staff are dressed consistently and include recommendations for appropriate style of footwear for the role.

'We have taken on board the comments regarding footwear and will be reviewing our guidelines in consultation with our clients and team members.'

Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said today: '45 years on since the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act, it's baffling that there are still some companies that are practising this sort of outdated sexism.

'In our view, unless equally stringent requirements are applied to male workers, it is likely that a requirement to wear two inch heels would constitute unlawful discrimination, and we will look into whether action needs to be taken.'