Republican Senate hopeful Todd Akin has apologised over his comments about 'legitimate rape' and pregnancy.

On Sunday Akin claimed in a television interview that women could not get pregnant from "legitimate rape".

In the apology he said: "The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness."

Senior Republicans, including Presidential canidate Mitt Romney, have suggested that Akin should not stay in the race for the Missouri Senate seat.

The election will take place on November 6 and he is up against Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, the final date to pull out is September 25.