Gwyneth Paltrow test-drives ANOTHER pair of super-high heels... across a cobblestone street

The Hollywood star looks to be on dangerous ground as she took pigeon steps across the uneven surface, in her six inch heels.

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On dangerous ground: Gwyneth Paltrow appears to be on shaky ground in yet another pair of vertiginous heels - but this time she was shooting an advert in Rome

Higher and higher: Not only is she wearing six inch heels - but she walks across cobbled streets too

But Gwyneth's walk of pain in the spindly-heeled stilettos was not in aid of yet another film premiere.

In fact Gwyneth, who has been credited with fuelling the trend for super high heels - now dubbed the 'Gwyneth Effect' - appears to be cashing in on her association with super-high heels, by appearing in a new advert.

In an ironic twist, the actress, who has been seen of late hobbling down red carpets in stilettos, is the star of an advert for Italian designer company Tods.

Gwyneth's red carpet posturing in high heels is said to have provided a boost for Britain's shoe shops, and clearly shoe companies to take full advantage.

In these shots, the star is seen carrying a Tods bag, although the heels she is teetering in are by Roger Vevier.

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Action replay: Gwyneth recreated her red carpet moment in a pair of very high heels

Retailers are dubbing it the "Gwyneth Effect" after they reported a surge in customer interest in heels as tall as seven inches.

The star hit the headlines day after day as she tottered from one pair of sky high stilettos to the next - with the net result that sales of vertiginous heels have rocketed.

Selfridges reported a 35 per cent increase in sales of super high heels in the past week and that these types of shoes were outselling flats by 5 to 1.

Harvey Nichols said that its sales have soared by seven per cent and are expecting the trend to continue with shoppers happy to spend as much £1000 on one pair of teetering heels.

And now it appears that Italian designers Tods are hoping to cash in on Gwyneth's position as Queen of the Mean High Heel.

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Mock premiere: Gwyneth appears to making real capital out of her red-carpet appearances in very high heels

During a recent whirlwind tour to promote her new movie Iron Man, Gwyneth visited four countries in four days.

She appeared first in Paris wearing seven-inch platforms by little-know designer Pacini. The shoes were so high she had to be assisted down the stairs by her minder.

She then flew to Berlin and was snapped in a pair of brogues by Burberry and later the same day she wore a mini-dress with classic black Christian Louboutins.

The star appeared in sky high Giuseppe Zanotti platforms for a trip to Rome before flying to London.

She was spotted first wearing five-inch high Givenchy peeptoe boots during the day, and then changed into a pair of five inch Alexander McQueen court shoes for the red carpet.

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However, Chris Steele,the resident doctor of ITV's This Morning cautioned fans against following Gwyneth down the super-high heeled route.

He said: "The most likely result of wearing heels of this height is that people will fall over and most likely sprain or break their ankle.

"Only stars have minders to help them walk down the stairs or along the red carpet.

"Heels that are five, six or seven inches put a lot of pressure on the toes, which can lead to unsightly bunions or bone deformities."