Imelda Marcos famously had 2,700 pairs; left behind as she fled her Manillan palace.

Ah, women and shoes - it takes a wise (wo)man to explain the connection. The UK’s rich and fashionable women may be able to give it a go: who could possibly say? Coleen and the WAG’s et all? If I hazard a guess their collections probably aren’t far off Imelda’s lead.

The TUC today called for employers to drop “inappropriate” requirements for workers to wear dangerous footwear in the office.

The provision aims to encourage employees to come into work in sensible shoes and where appropriate make sure employers give their staff the option of sitting. The new guide, Working Feet and Footwear, is aimed at places of work such as city banks, airlines and upmarket shops that include high heels as part of their dress code.

Ultimately, the guide means that by law any risk assesment that a company does will have to account for, along with the usual safety provisions, the damage to their employees’ feet.

According to TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, “employees should wear the footwear that is appropriate to their occupation”.

OK, no problem; that’s done easily enough. Failing that, may I suggest, taking your high heels in your handbag and wearing trainers on the commute to stem the effects those back-killing, bunion-inducing appendages.