More political correctness..

It's really hard to keep track what words are acceptable these days.

Women are no longer ladies and older people are never senior citizens, according to equality officials at Hull City Council.

Council workers were stunned, and many offended, when they received an email warning them to mind their language.

In a list of unacceptable terms, girls, elderly, pet and love appeared next to words already widely recognised as being offensive, racist or homophobic.

The council has since said it should not have banded the terms together.

The guide to 'professionally appropriate language' was issued on behalf of the corporate equalities manager Julie Thomson.

It advises that traditional northern greetings such as duck, flower, dear or sweetheart are unacceptable and women should only ever be referred to as women.

'Offended and amused'

Likewise, older people are never senior citizens or wrinklies and disabled people should not be called wheelchair bound or infirm.

Liberal Democrat leader Carl Minns said the guide was a classic example of political correctness gone mad.