Mayor apologises for April Fool's joke

The mayor of Oise capital Beauvais has had to apologise after a Poisson d'Avril joke sparked an outcry.

Caroline Cayeux announced on Sunday that Swedish homeware giant Ikea was moving into the town, creating some 4,000 jobs.

The joke did not please the townsfolk, who said the joke was 'inappropriate', and criticised the mayor for 'unacceptably' raising the hopes of unemployed residents.

Ms Cayeux apologised on Europe1 radio, admitting it "was not very wise", and said she was sorry that "some may have misinterpreted the joke".

Read more: Did you spot Poisson d'Avril jokes in French press?