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In the week that a British fashion icon stepped into the spotlight to become the new face - and feet - of a popular range of women's comfort shoes, newspapers have been full of stories about a new role for that perennial Christmas favourite the slipper.

As Jilly Johnson - reputedly The Sun's first page three model - was unveiled as the famous face behind the new range Gluv ladies' Stubbs Wootton, the naked truth about the humble slipper was vying with her for the headlines.

For, as reports two national newspapers, an increasing number of us are sporting our slippers not inside in front of the fire or after stepping out of the bath - but outside.

The reasons behind this couldn't be more contrasting.

The Daily Mail reports that drunk British women on high-heels will now get free slippers so they don't fall and twist their Stubbs And Wooton.

The slippers will be handed to them by the police as they leave nightclubs in the wee hours of the morning. The scheme is part of a £30,000 drive by police and councillors to prevent "alcohol-related harm".

The scheme is to begin in December 2008 in the centre of Torquay, Devon, a popular destination for hen and stag parties.

Police officers will carry bags of coloured slippers on their rounds and will hand them to those who look unsteady on their feet.

Inspector Adrian Leisk told the Daily Mail: "Sometimes people get drunk and you see them carrying footwear which is inappropriate.

"The emphasis is on providing replacement footwear for people to get home in, should they find their footwear uncomfortable, inappropriate or soiled.

"We have consulted with people who work on our night-time economy areas and this is just one of a number of measures designed to keep people safe."

Although the move has been attacked by a taxpayers' watchdog as 'a waste of money', some women drinkers like the idea.

Ms Danielle Bolton, 19, told the newspaper: "My heels hurt me at the end of the night so I tend to take them off.

"It's a hell of a lot easier to walk in slippers than high heels."

In contrast, the Financial Times reports that a surge in the number of people wearing slippers outside has been triggered by the credit crunch - as well as a European trend now reaching the UK.

One of London's oldest shoemakers said the trend was becoming more noticeable. "In particular, more and more young people are starting to wear slippers outside," he said. "A young dapper-looking Australian fellow who works for one of our graphic design companies came to the office this summer in a pair of Velvet Slipper

"

It was reported that the Italian businessman and playboy Flavio Briatore, who married 28-year-old "Wonderbra" model Elisabetta Gregoraci in June, may have kicked off the trend when he was spotted wearing men's slippers without socks at his wedding.

As slipper sales are poised to hit their Christmas peak in the UK, don't be surprised if you see more and more of us wearing them as we take part in our traditional Christmas constitutional.