Christopher Kane, who turned Crocs into a must-have item last year, has now launched a pair of shoes made from what looks like a common kitchen sponge. Made from black patent leather, the stilettos are decorated with strips of yellow and blue sponge.

The sponge is placed along where the toes would be, around the back of the heel and on the strap.

Some of the designs also feature a dazzling diamonds around the front.

And they don't come cheap at an eye-watering £800 – almost double the price of the designer's regular slingbacks which cost £450.

The striking shoes made their debut at a runway show in 2017, but have since become incredibly popular with shoppers online, with several retailers reporting they have sold out their entire stock.

Christopher's sister Tammy Kane, is believed to be partly responsible for the craze, after she was papped wearing the shoes with Samantha Cameron outside 10 Downing Street.

Tammy is deputy creative director at her brother's fashion label.

People on social media are bemused by the bizarre shoes, with several people comparing them to the popular cartoon character Sponge Bob Squarepants.