AN enterprising retailer is capitalising on the latest womenswear craze - crystal bikinis and thongs.

Pam Jewitt, owner of Paris, in Gateshead MetroCentre, has been causing a stir after stocking the Swarovski Crystal jewelled underwear and sarongs.

Two of the £500 bikinis were sold during the build-up to Christmas. One went to a woman from the North-East who works at Stringfellows nightclub, in London, while another was sold to a man as a Christmas present for his wife.

Ms Jewitt said: "We stock lots of high-quality prom dresses and crystal jewellery at the store and when one of our regular reps visited the store, she highlighted the crystal thongs."

A former Miss Newcastle, Ms Jewitt opened the store in 2001, using her experiences of dressing for the perfect occasion from her time on the beauty contest circuit.

The glittering underwear is a departure from her usual range of evening wear and party dresses.

"I was not sure what reaction they would receive," she said. "But we gave it a go and they have certainly been a conversation starter."