A Russian company has been heavily criticised for offering female employees cash bonuses to wear skirts or dresses to work, the BBC reports.

Tatprof, an aluminium manufacturer, is running a "femininity marathon" campaign until 30 June.

Female staff who wear a dress or skirt "no longer than five centimetres from the knee" are paid 100 roubles ($1.50, £1.19) on top of their regular wages.

In order to receive the bonus, women must send the company a picture.

Many social media users have responded with incredulity to what some described as the "horrible treatment of women".

Prominent feminist blogger and journalist Zalina Marshenkulova called Tatprof's initiative "news from the Middle Ages".

The company, a supplier for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 football World Cup, told Russian media it rejected accusations of sexism and said 60 women had already taken part.

"We wanted to brighten up our work days," a spokesperson told the radio station Govorit Moskva.

Full report here