Spectators their breath as ballerina Ellie Wright became the first person to "walk on water" at Clifton Lido.

The dancer practised her pirouettes and plies on a specially created stage, which sits just above the pool.

And thankfully it was a dry run for the Bristol Ballet performer, who was taking part in a rehearsal for a fashion show next month.

Workers at staging company Chameleon Corporate Productions stripped to their Speedos to help test the new catwalk.

The stage will form the main spectacle at the Bristol Fashion Show, which will be held at the lido on May 16.

Workers created a two- metre test bed in the water with Ellie performing on top to test its strength and stability.

The stage will be 22m long, will weigh more than a tonne and be covered with blue non-slip carpet to allow models and dancers to perform in front of hundreds of guests.

Mark Rowlands, director of Chameleon Corporate Productions, said: "This is a very exciting project for everyone involved and is a very different environment to our usual stages.

"But the design and build should be easily achievable as we have been building stages for over 10 years and have every confidence in what we do. The final effect will be a true spectacle." Tickets for the fashion show are on sale now from Central Studios Hairdressing, Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, or on 0117 929 0120. Tickets start at £50, while VIP and VVIP tickets are available for £75 and £100.

Collections from Ghost and Cruise will be modelled as well as some homegrown talent, including Gilly Woo Couture and the winners of the Project Designer contest for up-and-coming designers.