Sky-high shoes could be to blame for flat feet, according to a study. High heels are why women are more likely to develop the agonising condition than men, and that their risk is increased if they spend a lot of time standing up.

But before you resign yourself to a lifetime of sensible footwear, the researchers also say they are close to finding a cure. The scientists, from the University of East Anglia, believe that flat feet come about when tendons in the feet are weakened by proteins that occur naturally in the body. This causes the arch of the foot to fall, which can lead to excruciating pain and difficulties walking. And they say their discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to combat these proteins, called enzymes, and stop them weakening the tendons.

Dr Graham Riley, who carried out the study, said that high heels did not properly support the feet, which caused the tendons to weaken.