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Ammi · 27-09-2013, 02:01 PM

Tesco has withdrawn an inflatable figure labelled "gay best friend" which it featured on its online store.

The supermarket giant said it was "very sorry" for the "offensive" product which was described on its website as an "amusing gift".

It comes a day after the retailer - along with Asda - apologised for advertising "psycho ward" and "mental patient" fancy dress outfits.

Tesco has since removed the advert and claimed that while the product description and picture could still be seen on its website this morning, none of the inflatables were sold and they have been unavailable for purchase for the last two months.

A Tesco spokesman said: "This product was uploaded to the website by a third party seller but was removed from sale immediately because we found it offensive.

"The webpage should have been removed at that time and we are looking into why it is still visible two months later.

"We have very clear guidelines for third party sellers who list items on our website, and are very sorry that on this occasion they weren't followed."

The description of the product, which had censored the word gay from its product title, said: "If SEX in the City and Will & Grace taught us anything, it's that g*y best friends are in this season.

"We've had the manbag, we've had leg warmers and iPhone fever, now it's time for the new craze.

"Although not much can be said for his own attire, your Inflatable g*y Best Friend is ready to give you fashion advice, tell you if your bum looks big and b**ch about everyone who doesn't wear Jimmy Choo's."

The inflatable was described as having a "Gary Lineker-esque face" and advertised as an "ideal gift" for hen nights, Christmas and birthdays.

A similar product called "Instant Inflatable Gay Best Friend" could also be found on the website of online retalier Amazon.

Gay rights charity Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "This is like trying to sell ice to Eskimos.

"We can't imagine why any woman would choose to buy an inflatable gay best friend when there are two million of the real thing already available in modern Britain and most of them are much better looking than Tesco's pale imitation."

Yesterday Asda said it was to make a £25,000 donation to the mental health charity Mind after apologising for selling a ''mental patient fancy dress costume''.

The Halloween costume, which is designed to look like a blood-splattered straitjacket with ragged edges, was on sale for £20 through the supermarket's clothing arm George.

Asda's apology was quickly followed by Tesco, who said it was ''really sorry for any offence caused'' by an adult bright orange costume called ''Psycho Ward'' with the word ''Committed'' printed on the back