One of the largest trade unions has demanded the Government force employers to audit staff salaries to tackle unequal pay levels between men and women.

Diana Holland, Transport and General Workers Union's national organiser for women, race and equalities, said the time had come for the introduction of statutory pay audits.

The call comes after figures highlighted how the gender pay gap had widened over the past year.

The union launched its Pay Up!

campaign in July last year to address the issue by working with employers to carry out voluntary pay audits.

But Ms Holland said: "There are still some employers who are not prepared to close the gender pay gap voluntarily. We need statutory pay audits.

"Responsibility rests with Government to strengthen the equal pay law and encourage employers in every industry to support equal pay audits.

"It's high time employers and Government get real on equal pay and close the gender pay gap. We've waited long enough."

Analysis of this year's New Earnings Survey showed a gender gap in sectors across the economy.

In dressmaking, the UK's lowest paid industry, female workers earned on average £212.40 a week, while their male counterparts took home £257.50.

Male stockbrokers had an average weekly income of £1,018.80, twice the £516.40 a week earned by their female counterparts.

The analysis was based on the New Earnings Survey 2002, published by the Office for National Statistics.