The council has been accused of sexism towards men after it introduced women-only swimming sessions at Putney Leisure Centre.

The classes, which have been running on Sunday nights for eight months, have angered some male swimmers hoping to take a weekend dip.

One man, Michael O'Conner, even threatened to run a campaign against what he labelled the council's “misandry”.

He said: “I would like to alert the men of Wandsworth to the sexist, Harmanite takeover of the council.

“I have now been barred from my usual swimming time on Sunday evenings for the ‘crime’ of being a man.”

The council said the 90-minute session was placed on a Sunday because this was the quietest day.

It was introduced after 150 women signed a petition asking for a female-only slot, which has existed in Tooting leisure centre for almost 20 years.

A council spokesman said: “If men want to use a swimming pool at that precise time on a Sunday, then there are three other council-managed pools they could use, increasing to four in the summer, when Tooting Bec Lido is open.”