A group of cheerleaders are suing an American football team claiming they were humiliated by having to take part in 'jiggle tests'.

The five women have launched a lawsuit against the Buffalo Bills which also alleges they were given detailed instructions about how to use tampons and properly wash themselves.

According to the writ, other sexist tasks they had to do were wearing bikinis at a charity golf tournament, jumping into a dunk tank, and getting 'auctioned off' to winning bidders who then drove them around the course in a winning 'lap of honour'.

As well as the alleged sexism by the club, the cheerleaders also claim they were exploited by the New York state-based NFL squad and did not receive their full wages.

Their case has now been filed at the New York Supreme Court - and is the latest in a line of lawsuits being brought by cheerleaders against US sports teams.

The former members of the club's cheerleading squad - known as the Buffalo Jills - say they were not paid for practises, game day performances or compulsory appearances where they had to parade in skimpy atire.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the women were often not paid at all for many of their appearances and instead were given one ticket, worth $90, and a $25 parking pass, with extra payments sometimes made at their manager's discretion.

The lawsuit claims that one cheerleader made just $1,800 for working 20 hours a week over a full season, out of which she also had to buy her own $650 uniform.

Founded in 1960, the Buffalo Bills are one of the game's most successful teams and enjoys an annual revenue of $256m (£152m).

They are being sued alongside two other companies firms linked to the team's promotional activities, but have so far not responded to the legal action filed this week.

Former cheerleaders from the Oakland Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals are also suing their respective NFL clubs, claiming they were denied a fair wage.