Would you strip down to your smalls if asked to by a colleague at work?

And would you then stand in a shop window in front of scores of shoppers?

Some brave workers at Norwich's Debenham's store did just that on the busiest shopping day of the week – much to the cheering, beeping, amusement and even bewilderment of passers-by in the city centre.

The unusual way of promoting Valentine's lingerie was thought up by sales manager Tracy Benton.

She said: 'I worked in lingerie for about three years and I saw that around Valentine's the men would come in and always go for the same style as gifts.

'We wanted to show that it doesn't have to be red and that it can be pretty and feminine and comfortable.

'I asked around for models among the staff and surprisingly some were quite eager to take part, although a little nervous on the day.'

Lingerie supervisor Faye Robinson, from Loddon, personal shopper Emily Martin, from Old Catton, menswear senior sales worker Charlotte Bagley, from Cromer, Jane Norman department worker Adam Landshoft, from central Norwich, and womenswear supervisor Jay Manchand from Riverside in Norwich were among the models of all ages, shapes and sizes who strutted their stuff in one of the Red Lion Street store's windows on Saturday lunchtime.

Menswear supervisor Lesley Seager, from Wymondham, said that each of the models had helped to choose their outfits.

She said: 'It's important that we picked what we felt most comfortable in.'

Business support assistant Sally Lambert, from Old Catton, also roped in her husband Justin, who works for KLM at Norwich International Airport.

She said: 'I think Justin's going to get some serious stick at work after this.

'It was a bit nerve-wracking but we jollied each other along and it was fine after we'd been out for the first time.'

Among the stunned shoppers was Viv Scottow, from Drayton, who said: 'I think it's brilliant and such a good idea. To see real people and not models is really refreshing.'

Miss Benton said: 'I was really nervous about what the customers reactions were going to be like.

'It was great to see them laughing, smiling and clapping. I thought it went really well.'

Do you have a story for the Evening News? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.