Theresa May should ditch her kitten heels and wear pumps and flat shoes in Parliament to demonstrate to women that they do not have to wear high heels to "meet men's expectations", union delegates have been told.

Representatives at the Trades Union Congress annual conference in Brighton voted unanimously for the law to be changed “to enable people to not be compelled to wear high heels at work”.

The news came after 145,000 people signed a petition supporting receptionist Nicola Thorp, who objected to being told to wear shoes with a heel.

Penny Robinson, from the GMB union, said Britain was“lucky to have someone running the country who can set the example to the rest of us while making the point about wearing sensible shoes”.

Ms Robinson said "our new Prime Minister may be well known for kitten heels and leather boots but if she really wants to advance the cause for women" she could "make a point of wearing pumps, flats and comfortable shoes in the Cabinet and in PMQs and for meeting all those EU leaders.

“Let the media see that you can be the most powerful woman in the country without wearing design shoes to meet men’s expectations.”