Stocking fellas

It's a scene acted out every Christmas - embarrassed male hovers nervously around lingerie department looking for sexy gifts while trying not to be taken for a Peeping Tom.

For some husbands and boyfriends the strain proves too much and they slink out of the store empty-handed.

But this year help is at hand - from Marks & Spencer.

In a number of key stores, it is offering male lingerie assistants to help men choose the right present.

The team - identified as 'stocking fellas' - will offer tips and advice on all aspects of buying ladies' underwear and, with the help of a simple quiz, will determine which of five brands will be most likely to be a hit on Christmas morning.

Among the questions are: Which word best describes the woman in your life - glamorous, feminine, modern, flirty or sassy? A second asks: Which phrase best describes her style and attitude? The options are glamour puss, yummy mummy, simply stylish, fashionista and party girl.

The third question asks which celebrity she most relates to. The group comprises Catherine Zeta-Jones, Nigella Lawson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Charlotte Church.

There remains, however, the thorny problem of what size to buy. And that can be solved only by asking the lady in question before the shopping trip - or carrying out some surreptitious research in her underwear drawer.

M&S's Andy Ferguson said men have a shameful record when buying lingerie, with many not knowing their partner's vital statistics.

'The level of items exchanged goes through the roof in January which tells us that women are not happy with the lingerie they are being given at Christmas.'