Debenhams: Size 16 mannequins

Debenhams has becomes the first major retailer to permanently introduce size 16 mannequins in its stores - the average size of a woman in the UK.

ITV News' Nina Nannar has spoken to Debenhams about its decision:

High street department store Debenhams has unveiled its new size 16 mannequins at its Oxford Street store - the first UK retailer to do so permanently.

The mannequins will appear alongside size 10 dummies on all women's fashion floors at the London store, before being introduced in all 170 of Debenhams' UK stores.

Size 16 mannequins are to become a permanent fixture at high street retailer Debenhams from today.

The new mannequins, which were trialled three years ago, will be used at its shop in Oxford Street, London.

They will appear alongside size 10 dummies on all women's fashion floors, before being introduced in all 170 of Debenhams' UK stores.

Size 10 is the standard size for mannequins on the high street - three sizes smaller that the new mannequins.

Debenhams director Ed Watson said: "The average British woman is a size 16, but the high street has been showing them clothing on a mannequin that is three sizes smaller - until now.

"Having worked on this project for three years, we hope that it will help people in some small way to feel comfortable about their bodies and, crucially, that other retailers will follow."