A Czech nuclear power plant has been criticised severely for holding a bikini competition to select its interns.

Last week, the 2000MW Temelin Nuclear Power Station, owned by CEZ Group, posted ten images on its Facebook page of high school graduates dressed in swimsuits, posing by its cooling tower.

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The page encouraged followers to vote for the candidate they like the best.

The woman who garnered the most votes was to be given the title "Miss Energy 2017" as well as the chance for a two-week internship with the company.

According to the company, this contest is part of a cultural enrichment programme.

On the post, the company stated: "We think photographs are very tasteful."

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"The combination of beauty and the industrial environment gives an interesting result."

"The company has been accused of sexism and choosing interns based on their looks rather than their qualifications."

However, the company has been accused of sexism and choosing interns based on their looks rather than their qualifications.

The Independent quoted a Twitter user as writing, “So that’s how you qualify to work for an AKW. Incredible!"

Another online user wrote: "Undress and you get an internship – this cannot be serious, it's degrading, disgusting and primitive."

The facility apologised on its Facebook page two days later.

The company also stated all the ten women participants would be given internships.

Its Facebook page read: "The purpose of the competition was to promote technical education. But if the original vision raised doubts or concerns, we are very sorry."

Temelin Nuclear Power Station is the largest power station in the Czech Republic and is located about 90km from the German border.