One department store found a unique solution that saw male shoppers walking away with the perfect fit every time from 30 brands and 70 bra sizes on show.

Debenhams hired models with distinctive body shapes to walk around its lingerie department for a day so that men could pick out the girl whose curves most resembled those of their other half.

The girls boasted apple, pear and hourglass-shaped bodies in sizes 8, 12 and 16. And they were not shy about helping hapless men at the Oxford Street branch in London.

“The idea was a huge success, with our male shoppers commenting on what a great idea the event was at this time of year,” said Ruth Attridge, for Debenhams lingerie department.