A SHOPPING centre was brought to a stand-still as mime artists recreated one of the world's most famous statues.

The performers - semi-naked and covered with blue body paint - turned heads at the Marlands Shopping Centre, as they smooched through the day.

Elias Vorrias and Stella Jenkinson were recreating the famous statue The Kiss, by Rodin - but this wasn't art for art's sake. The couple were hired by a mint firm to drum up publicity for its product which is designed to banish bad breath.

The couple remained lip-locked for several hours, breaking off only to catch their breath. But the majority of shoppers visiting the Marlands yesterday confessed they had no idea what the pair were supposed to represent.

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