A UK shipyard boss has apologised after criticising striking workers.

Cammell Laird's John Syvret said employees taking industrial action over job cuts were "pandering to negative stereotypes of Merseyside".

He has withdrawn his statement after talks with Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson, who called the comments "exaggerated" and "stupid", the BBC reported.

Unite and GMB unions are striking over plans to axe 291 jobs.