ALL my life I have been a shoe fanatic.

When I got a new pair when I was a tot I was usually found wearing them in bed.

I was once discovered asleep in a little pair of red wellies. I went to the Blackpool illuminations in a new pair of Chinese style black velvet and gold embroidered slippers (I still remember them) and spent the whole journey staring at them and not the lights.

As a schoolgirl I used to doodle and design shoes in my work books and had my eyes set on being the Jimmy Choo of the time.

It didn’t quite work out that way.

I always had to have the latest high fashion shoes from Manchester, no Freeman, Hardy and Willis, Bata or Timpsons for me.

In the 70s I bragged a fine collection of the ugliest shoes imaginable, but I loved them - then. They had whopping big heels and platforms and I stood almost 6ft tall - but they were covered down to the floor by the widest of bellbottoms.

I love the killer stilettos and platforms today, but I wouldn’t even consider wearing them. They’re not for podges, and should be left to the long legged, willowy girls .

Anyone I see teetering about on them looks absolutely crippled - and could end up so, with bunions like marbles.

I have long since given up the fashion look and am quite happy trolling about in comfy flatties - but they still have to be soft leather.