New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is facing a lawsuit over signage reflecting the ticket price for entry, which lawyers argue deceives visitors into thinking the recommended price is compulsory.

According to the Associated Press, signage at the entry to the museum states adult admission is US$25 (19 euro, £16) with "recommended" written in small print underneath.

According to the museum, 41 per cent of visitors paid full price in the past fiscal year.

A lawsuit lodged by a native New Yorker and two Czech tourists accuses the Met of defrauding the public into believing these fees are required, when in reality any donation is acceptable, even if it is just a penny.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for people who paid full price for admission by credit card over the past couple of years.

Arnold Weiss, one of two attorneys who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the museum-goers said the museum was designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, but had instead become an elite tourist attraction.

Met spokesman Harold Holzer said: "We are confident that the courts will see through the insupportable nuisance lawsuit."