WOMEN'S campaigning MP Sandra Gidley has said more must be done to bridge the gender pay gap in Southampton.

A study by the GMB union has concluded that Southampton is the worst in the country for job segregation - and is only topped in the gender pay gap by London.

The average woman in full-time employment in Southampton earns £364.32 a week - while her male equivalent is paid £563.49.

In Hampshire the gap between men and women in almost £150 a week.

The Test Valley Liberal Democrat MP, who speaks on women's issues for her party, said more city firms should do a jobs audit so they had evidence of the pay gap - and then they should take action.

"In the past women have been happy to take a step backwards or sideways to have a job that fits in with their family life.

"But employers who have worked with women to try to keep jobs open for them have benefited in the end - we do need more policies for women within companies," she said.

Fundamental reasons why women fail to make it to the top still remain, said Mrs Gidley.

"Men have much better workplace networks. Women don't have the time to go to the pub at lunchtime - they are more likely to found in Sainsbury's buying the food for their family.

"And they don't have time to go after work - if they did it would add to a more favourable impression at work.

"And, in general terms, men overplay their skills - while women underplay theirs," she said.

Catherine Wright, head of public affairs at Southampton Chamber of Commerce, said the city suffered from having too few senior management positions because of the make-up of business in Southampton.

"We are a service-based economy but we do not have many company headquarters in the city. Women tend to be doing the lower grade admin jobs and working for the city's main employers like the council and NHS - and these tend to be lower paid jobs," she said.

"We welcome the fact this analysis has been done - it's important that things like this are brought to the surface.

"We will be looking very closely at this to try to understand the reasons why this is happening."