A TAXI firm has apologised after it posted “sexist and crass” photographs on Twitter to advertise its service.

Oxford-based 001 Taxis posted the pictures on Twitter on Thursday evening but removed the post and apologised the next day after complaints.

The photographs – of Celebrity Big Brother contestants Luisa Zissman and Jasmine Waltz – appeared in the national media in February.

The New Inn Yard, St Aldates, firm tweeted: “Everyone enjoys a night out 2 let “hair down” ... Make sure you get home safely :) Pre book now.”

The company said it did not intend to offend anyone but critics said it was “ill-thought-out”.

Twitter user Anna Mathews said: “What on earth were you thinking with this ad? Your professional, courteous drivers are let down by this publicity. #everydaysexism”

She added: “You are an excellent taxi service that I use frequently and often recommend to friends. But this is ill-thought-out, and crass.”

And @FoodOnTour wrote: “I think I’ll take the bus in future.”

Abingdon taxi driver Colin Dobson said: “It is in extremely poor taste.

“The carrying on of any sexual conduct is not the kind of thing that any reputable taxi business should be promoting at all.”

Abingdon resident Dawn Massam, 34, said it was not funny or acceptable, adding: “I am not a prude by any means.”

Ronnie Findlay, spokesman for the firm, said: “We appreciate the images could cause offence in hindsight. We didn’t mean to cause any offence, we weren’t using it in a sexist way.

“It was genuinely meant to raise the awareness that you have your night of fun but you need to get home safely.

“But unfortunately on Twitter you don’t get the characters to say that.”

It comes after the firm last year sent out adverts with a picture of a bedraggled woman in the rain and the caption “Should have used 001 Taxis”.

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