Sexism is said to be commonplace in local government, with almost two of five female councillors having suffered sexist comments from their own party, a new report reveals.

A survey of more than 2,300 councillors found a third of women have experienced sexist comments in the council chamber and 43% say they are held back by assumptions about what they can do because they are women.

One in 10 said they had been sexually harassed by other councillors.

The findings were from a year-long study led by the Fawcett Society. Chief executive Sam Smethers said: "Women councillors from all major parties are reporting sexism and sexual harassment from within their own parties and from other councillors.

"This problem is not confined to one party and is commonplace across local government.

"We are sadly used to hearing about the misogyny our politicians experience from the public via social media, but this research shows that they are also experiencing it from within their own parties, including their male council colleagues."

The report said only a third of elected local councillors in England are women, an increase of just 5% since 1997.

Over the same period, the proportion of women in Parliament has increased by more than half, from 18% to 29%.

The number of female council leaders has barely changed, up from 14% to 17% in 10 years.

Local Government Association spokeswoman Claire Kobe said: "Councils are doing everything they can to ensure gender equality. Sexism has no place in the council chamber and all incidents should be reported under the local code of conduct for councillors.

"It is important that local government reflects the communities it represents and the LGA is leading the Be A Councillor campaign, which includes a focus on encouraging women and under-represented groups to engage with and enter politics."

We have approached local councils for comment.