'Racist lynching' T-shirt pulled from shelves in US after accusations of promoting suicide

The T-shirt was seen on sale at T.J. Maxx, the American version of T.K. Maxx

The T-shirt sparked comparisons to racist lynchings on social media (Ebay)

This T-shirt has been pulled from shops and websites in the US as outraged shoppers flooded social media claiming it promoted suicide and evoked racist lynchings.

The furore started on Monday when a Twitter user posted a picture of the “offensive” top on sale in Florida, which quickly went viral.

Available in black and white, it carries the slogan “hang loose” around a picture of a noose.

Although it was found on sale at T.J. Maxx, the American arm of discount retailer T.K. Maxx, it was manufactured by surfer brand Tavik.

“It is absolutely sickening that @tjmaxx thinks it's okay to sell a shirt like this,” Twitter user @PsychoGF_ wrote after being sent the picture by her brother.

“Suicide is not something to f***ing joke about…that shirt was beyond offensive.”

The T-shirt was still on sale on eBay on Wednesday morning

As the image spread on social media, many people expressed disgust at the apparent reference to hanging, while others claimed it evoked racist lynch mobs in the US.

“Even without the obvious racial overtones, how is a noose with the caption ‘hang loose’ okay?” one person wrote.

Another said: “It's abhorrent, and you all knew that beforehand. When is a lynching reference a good idea?”

Tavik issued an apology on Twitter to anyone who “may have been offended” and said the T-shirt was immediately being pulled from shops.

The brand’s PR manager, Kelly McElroy told The Washington Post the company offered its “sincere apologies” for any offence called.

She added: “This item was released without going through proper protocols and has zero relation to anything other than surfing.”

Tavik has launched a review into how and why the T-shirt was bought for sale under its name.