Expert putting his foot in it

"On no, well I'm in enough trouble already so I might as well keep on digging myself an even bigger hole to fall into."

The reaction from Antiques Roadshow presenter Rupert Maas was instantaneous - as soon as I had introduced myself and explained I was calling from the Shropshire Star.

And why?

Because the art expert and London gallery owner has caused something of a stir by introducing the "Shropshire ankle" to a national television audience.

Innocently discussing a painting with a viewer who had attended the Roadshow at Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire, Mr Maas described the young girl in the piece, who was lazing in a hammock with her leg lazily draped over the edge, as having a Shropshire ankle.

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In other words - thick set.

He said his mother had told him about the particular physical trait attributed to the county as he mused over the artwork by Algernon Talmage, a minor British impressionist painter who was born in 1871 and died in 1939.

He specialised in landscapes, animals and subjects, so his interpretation of a girl in a hammock proved very interesting to Mr Maas.

But his comment landed him in all kinds of hot water - and not just from Shropshire women objecting to the suggestion their ankles were anything but trim.

"My mother called me the very next day to say she had never said anything of the sort to me," admitted Mr Maas who has found the resulting controversy all rather amusing.

"But I do believe I got it from somewhere. I have been racking my brains for days trying to think where I heard it. I am not 100 per cent sure but I think it may have been in some writings by Evelyn Waugh. But again I am not sure about that.

"But it has certainly started a debate. I was filming another episode of the Antiques Roadshow in North Wales last week and I had several people approach me to discuss the comments I made about the Shropshire ankle.

"One woman said she had heard the phrase before and another lady who is an orthopaedic nurse said she was looking into whether there was any medical findings to back it up.

"She said she had not come across anything yet but was continuing her research to see if she could find anything that might explain it."

Mr Maas suggested that one theory could surround Shropshire's rural landscape and how it may have contributed to the female form over the years .

"Shropshire is one of the most rural counties and it is hilly in parts so this could suggest that the attire women may have worn may have something to do with it.

"Living in such surroundings women, many of whom would have been farmers wives, would have possibly worn lots of flat, firm footwear and wellington boots which could explain why thick set ankles have been associated with Shropshire."

But Mr Maas also admitted he could be grasping at straws.

"When my mother called to say she had not said it I did Google it and I couldn't find much so I am at a loss as to where I heard it now. It would be really interesting to try and find out and see exactly what the origins of it are.

"It must have come from somewhere. I'm sure it is there in my head for a reason"

And Mr Maas said he is also happy to tackle the hordes of disgruntled women who may feel his comments had suggested their legs were anything but honed and toned.

"I have been in Shropshire many times and some of my best friends are from the area although I have to say I have never made a point of checking out women's ankles," he joked.

"I am sure they are all delightful in Shropshire and I do enjoy getting feedback from the items on the programme.

"I know we get a great response from viewers because many of these topics are of great interest and other people will have some useful input."

Certainly women in the county have not noticed a specific shape of ankle which typifies Shropshire.

Lucy Bell, a personal trainer at Innaction Health and Fitness at the Park Inn in Telford said the topic was certainly a talking point following the comments on the popular Sunday night show.

But she said it was not a problem area which greatly concerned women signing up for workout sessions at the gym.

"It's not something I have noticed at all but I think it will have women talking," she added.

"I do hope it's not a local trait because I certainly don't want to get fat ankles."

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* Have you heard the phrase Shropshire ankle or do you have any information on its origins? If so please write and tell us about it. Send your letters to Shropshire Ankles, Features Desk, Shropshire Star, TF1 5HU or email starfeatures@shropshirestar.co.uk