Signs put up near the health club and spa at Cadbury House Hotel in Congresbury, Bristol, read: ‘Advance health warning! When the aliens come, they will eat the fatties first.’

However, mother-of-two Vicky Palmer, who suffered from an eating disorder as a teenager, believes the sign should be removed immediately.

Mrs Palmer, 45, of Churchill, Somerset, said: ‘I would like to think that their hotline is very “hot� with people phoning to complain about this degrading and offensive advertising.

‘I am not overweight yet I still find this extremely offensive and patronising but how much more so to someone genuinely overweight?

‘People who have a weight problem may also suffer with low self esteem and this advert is not going to help them in any way.