London, Apr 10 : Men in UK are certainly walking ahead and that too with big shoes-new figures have revealed that British men''s feet are getting bigger and the average shoe size has grown by one in the last five years.

According to Debenhams-the UK departmental store-the average man''s shoe size in 2004 was eight, but now it is size nine.

The demand for size 12 shoes has soared, and for the first time gone ahead in requests for size sevens.

According to the figures, Men in Birmingham have the largest feet, followed by Liverpool, Belfast and Cardiff.

Statistics also suggest that the average shoe for women has apparently become broader and longer.

"For the first time, we''re considering stocking size 13 as a standard fitting across all of our ranges, and size 14 is a possibility too. Our largest shoe currently available is a size 12. In the past, these shoe sizes would have been available only on special order," the Telegraph quoted a Debenhams spokesman as saying.

He added: "We think it is because people are growing taller. The trends tell us that clothing sizes are also getting bigger. Interestingly, women''s shoes are getting broader as well as longer, which would suggest that women are getting bigger in general."

The top 10 cities by men''s shoe size are:

1. Birmingham

2. Liverpool

3. Belfast

4. Cardiff

5. London

6. Manchester

7. Aberdeen

8. Cambridge

9. Bristol

10. Milton Keynes (ANI)