A south Manchester shop has been criticised for selling a "horrifying" greeting card which joked about domestic violence.
The card portrayed a pair of hands making the heart symbol alongside the message 'It isn't murder if you strangle them with heart hands'.
The shop in Chorlton Art Market has apologised and removed the card from sale after being slammed on social media for making light of violence against a partner.
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A picture of the card in the window was shared on Twitter, by a woman who asked not to be identified.
She wrote: "This card is for sale in Chorlton Arts Market. I've had conversations about it with two members of staff, one of whom was remarkably hostile to the idea that someone might have a problem with it. It's just a joke' was one of his responses."
Prof Jane Monckton, professor of Public Protection at University of Gloucestershire, replied: "FFS! This is a disgrace."
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Other replies included 'Horrifying. Just one example of how VAWG (violence against women and girls) gains quiet acceptance in society' and 'Can't believe anyone would think this appropriate'.
Manchester council deputy leader Joanna Midgeley, the authority's lead on domestic abuse, said she had contacted the shop to ask them to remove the card, which she described as 'clearly not appropriate'.
A shop spokesman has apologised and confirmed the card has been pulled from sale.
He said; "The card in the photo was removed from our window on the February 4 after a customer spoke to our staff expressing their concern.
"We present and sell the work of many local artists and although we preserve their right to freedom of speech and limit censorship as much as possible, we always listen to feedback from our customers.
"In this respect we raised the customer’s concerns with the artist in question. As a result, we confirm that we have removed this card from our shelves and as of March 8 the card is no longer for sale in our shop.
"We sincerely apologise for any offence or upset caused to the public, we condemn all forms of domestic violence."
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