Lakeside bans skinny models

Thin is no longer in, as Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock, Essex, has banned skinny models from its Autumn/Winter Fashion Shows in the last week of October.

'Lakeside and our show organisers, Classique Event Management, are committed to setting a responsible example to young women and girls who visit the show,' said Lakeside marketing manager Clare Lamont.

The move follows an example set by the Mayor of Madrid, who banned models with a body mass index of less than 18 from the catwalk at Madrid fashion week.