Italian fashion designers have become the first in the world to ban size zero models from the catwalk.

Stylists signed a joint declaration with the Italian government, confirming that all models will have a body mass index of at least 18.

Under the new self regulation code in Italy all models in future shows will be "full bodied, healthy and radiant Mediterranean types".

According to the Daily Mail, Italy's Fashion Council agreed that: "Many women affected by eating disorders had started dieting to attain the figures of catwalk models and covergirls."

Last month iconic fashion designer Giorgio Armani spoke out against excessively thin models, saying "The time has now come for clarity. We all need to work together against anorexia."