'Ape in heels': Racist Facebook post about Michelle Obama sparks outrage

A Facebook post referring to First Lady Michelle Obama as an "ape in heels" has sparked calls for a West Virginia businesswoman and a local mayor to step down.

"It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House," director of the government-funded Clay County Development Corp, Pamela Ramsey Taylor, reportedly wrote in a Facebook post after Donald Trump’s election victory last Tuesday.

"I'm tired of seeing a Ape in heels," the post reportedly read.

Beverly Whaling, the mayor of Clay County, located in the US state of West Virginia, then commented on the post, writing "Just made my day Pam," WSAZ reports.

The post was reportedly shared hundreds of times before it was deleted, but screenshots of it have been shared by many social media users condemning the racist message.

Ms Whaling said in a statement to The Washington Post that she apologises for this "getting out of hand".

"My comment was not intended to be racist at all," she said.

"I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I’m not of any way racist!"

An online petition calling to remove the business woman and mayor from their positions has been signed by more than 46,000 people.