Chiropodist Joanna Ruthven is head over heels out of love with the latest height of shoe fashion.

Footwear fashion gurus say high heels and pointed toes are making a comeback but Mrs Ruthven, pictured, who runs Bradford Chiropody and Podiatry Centre in Toller Lane, has put her foot down firmly and said although the trend might be good news for her business it's definitely bad news for women's feet.

Celebrities like pop diva Jennifer Lopez and TV presenter Divina McCall have fired up interest in the towering heel which, combined with combat trousers, are becoming one of this season's most successful fashion stories.

Marketing manager of Bradford-based shoe chain Barrats, James Loveall, said the look was set to sizzle all summer and their countrywide stores were eagerly awaiting a massive consignment of stilettos at the end of the month.

"The look's definitely been inspired by the likes of Jennifer Lopez - we've even called one of our stiletto boot styles after her. Heels are going to make it big this summer."

But Mrs Ruthven warns the fad could lead to corns, bunions, calluses, claw toes, hammer toes - even arthritis and lower back problems.

And she urged parents to ban heels from their fashion-conscious daughters' wardrobes to safeguard the health of their feet and developing bones.

"High heels look fantastic and they're great for my business but they are seriously bad news for feet.

"The excessive heel makes the foot slip forward putting all the impact on the toes then the pointed toe-shape restricts movement which just isn't natural.

"We really don't recommend them at all. I favour trainers or shoes that are fairly flat and are held on to the feet - not loose slip-ons."

And she said sensible-shoewearing men have got their feet sussed. She said: "Most of my patients are women which says something!

"What I usually tell my women clients is to wear sensible shoes at home and work and save the heels for nights out or special occasions, then glam it up and enjoy them."

She said: "On a serious note one thing that really upsets me about high shoes is when I see pre-teen girls tottering about in them.

"Their bones are still developing and they could be doing untold damage to themselves."