Primark is in hot water with shoppers over the controversial name for its new pregnancy range.

The high-street retailer has divided opinion with the new clothing range which was designed as a maternity capsule wardrobe, named the 'parenthood collection'.

Shoppers have taken issue over the use of the word parenthood writing: “Parenthood range?? For the love of god.”

Posting on Instagram, Primark wrote: “Introducing our latest parenthood collection. A maternity capsule wardrobe will make life easy and our range, all in timeless neutral tones, will be the foundation of your new wardrobe as the weather gets colder.”

The Manchester Evening News reports shoppers waded into the debate, expressing alternative views and explanations.

One said: “Parenthood???? Maternity.”

“Agree - what dad needs clothes for when the woman is pregnant. It’s gone too far now,” said someone.

Another critic branded the name 'outrageous'.

While another user countered: “I think it's more to do with how gender has become more of a spectrum recently and not everyone who gives birth wants to be known as a mother, someone who may be non binary may decide they prefer to be known as a parent.”

Others weren't quite so bothered by the name, and were instead just excited to try out the clothes.

"Omigod FINALLY," wrote one excited shopper.

Another said: "OMG you guys are killing it."

A Primark spokesperson told Manchester Evening News: “ We believe that maternity wear shouldn’t be designed to feel temporary.

"The new collection not only caters to expectant parents but has been carefully and considerately designed for wear post-pregnancy, so everyone can look and feel amazing at affordable prices.

"With more than half of all the Parenthood collection being essential items, featuring pieces such as lightweight layers, it’s been designed to be re-worn and re-styled again and again.”