Wearing high heels does not increase the risk of developing a crippling knee condition, according to research out today.

A study found that heels of up to three inches had no effect on the chances of developing osteoarthritis, a condition in which joints become worn, stiff and painful.

Osteoarthritis of the knee in people over 65 is twice as common in women as in men, leading some doctors to think that high heels could be partly to blame.

But in a report published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers said that joint problems are more likely to be down to a previous injury, smoking or excess weight.

A total of 111 women aged 50 to 70 were interviewed - 29 of them were due to have knee replacement surgery and the remaining 82 had no history of joint problems.

The researchers found that if anything, wearing high heels seemed to be linked with a reduced risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.