Westminster City Council has apologised to a woman after reportedly telling her during an interview she should "retire".

A 59-year-old woman went for a job interview but was instead told by a manager in the local land charges department, according to the Evening Standard : "Do you not think you should be retiring and go travelling?"

A council spokesperson said an investigation has been launched into the allegations, and the council has been in touch with the interviewee to apologise.

The spokesperson said: "We have already been in touch with the candidate to give her feedback on her interview and to apologise unreservedly for any distress.

"We always aim to set the highest standards to ensure fairness and equality through our recruitment processes and we are actively looking in to the details of what has happened here."

The women was also reportedly upset because she had recovered from chemotherapy and radiotherapy and had a career spanning 45 years.