A lingerie model stopped the traffic in a Sussex high street when she posed semi-naked in a shop window.

Cars slowed to a standstill and shoppers' jaws dropped when they noticed shapely 22-year-old graduate Steph Waller posing in the window at Contessa in South Road, Haywards Heath.

Steph, of Kent Street, Cowfold, who was a Saturday girl at Contessa until last April, volunteered to strip to help the shop promote its Valentine's Day range.

She said: "It was really scary at first but it's been fine and the reactions from people have been amazing. The women all think it's funny and the men are just stopping and staring.

"I've done a bit of modelling before for L'Oreal and for a project at Croydon College but I've never done anything like this before.

"There's been a group of teenage boys hanging around all day taking pictures on their phones but nobody's come into the shop or bothered me so it's been fine.

"I'd definitely do it again. I really enjoyed it."

Before the assignment 5ft 8ins Steph, who has a 32C bust, had fake tan sprayed on.

Shopper Sue Wilson, 54, of Allen Road, Haywards Heath, said: "I think it's wonderful. It's made me giggle and it reminded me Valentine's Day is coming up.

"I saw her out of the corner of my eye then she moved, which was a shock. It's quite unusual for Haywards Heath."

Ashley Gibson, who works at the Carphone Warehouse in South Road, stopped to take a picture on his cameraphone.

He said: "It's brilliant, it's made my morning. She's got a really good figure for it and she looks like she's enjoying it too."

Construction worker Danny Guelbert, from Reading, said: "We've been back three times already. She keeps changing into different costumes. It's been a great start to the day. We only came out for breakfast."

Store manager Brenda Lund said: "I'm really proud of her. It's a brave thing to do but she's been terrific and she looks stunning."

Steph, who has a degree in fashion from the University of Sussex, wants to go into fashion advertising and modelling.