CALLING all stiletto wearers — ladies in high heels are needed in the name of scientific research.

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is appealing for Bolton shoe-lovers to help them discover the long-term consequences of fashionable footwear.

High heels can cause calf pain, stiffness, bunions and difficulty standing flat, so the “stiletto trial” has been launched in the hope of finding a solution to the problems.

Robert Csapo, a doctoral researcher, said: “We are looking for female volunteers who use stilettos, with a minimum heel height of 5cms, five times a week and have done so for at least two years, so we can understand the impact on lower leg muscles and tendons.

“We hope to obtain scientific data that enables us to provide useful advice to both women and shoe manufacturers on preventing the adverse effects of high heel wear, such as the optimum time and frequency to wear stilettos.”

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Mr Csapo on 07599 431483 or email r.csapo@mmu.ac.uk