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British Airways will allow male pilots to wear make-up and carry handbags in an overhaul of the airliner's strict uniform rules.

Airline bosses reportedly told staff in an internal memo yesterday 'be bold, be proud, be yourself' and said they hoped the refreshed guidance would be 'embraced by everyone regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, background, culture, sexual identity, or otherwise'.

BA was said to be nearing the end of a review of its longstanding uniform policy after rival Virgin Atlantic announced it was making its traditional male and female uniform gender-neutral.