British Airways has issued an apology to Judy Murray after one of its executives likened the British Fed Cup team captain's face to a "recently salted slug".

Area manager Simon Taylor went on to compare the 53-year-old to "a manatee's spleen" and "an arthritic ping pong ball" during a series of Facebook posts made as her son, Andy, was winning the Wimbledon final on Sunday.

In a statement to The Sun, the airline said: "We are sorry. We are taking this matter seriously. This does not get more embarrassing for BA."

Last month, the company ran a competition on the social media site, giving its fans the chance to win a day with Andy Murray.