US Republican candidate Ted Cruz has attacked Donald Trump for saying transgender people should be able to use whichever toilet they want. It comes after a row in North Carolina, where a law requiring people to use the public bathroom of their birth gender has proved extremely controversial.

Cruz said: Donald Trump went on The Today Show and he came out supporting Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the position that a grown man should be allowed to use the little girls restroom. Have we gone stark raving mad?

He added: If Donald Trump dresses up as Hillary Clinton, he still cant use the little girls restroom. And I apologise for that image that is likely to haunt you tonight. You know Donald in a bright blue pants suit, thats a bit terrifying. Cruz was speaking to supporters in Evansville, Indiana on 24 April.

The HB 2 law in North Carolina , which forces transgender people to use public toilets that match their birth genders, was signed by Governor Pat McCrory in March.

The bathroom bill, as it has become known, has since affected tourism in the state capital, leading to around a $3m (£2.09m) loss. High profile musicians have cancelled shows in the state, including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Ringo Starr.

Cruz is attempting to prevent Trump from winning the 1,237 delegates he needs to secure the Republican nomination. The New York mogul is currently 196 delegates ahead in the race.