Dong Lei has shot to fame in China thanks to her remarkable 45in-long legs.

The 5ft 11in model, a former nursery school teacher from Anhui, east China, told the People Daily Online that she credits her incredible stature to her parents – her father is 6ft 1in and her mother 5ft 7in.

Lei studied teaching at university before a modelling competition in Beijing propelled her to fame, the Chinese People's Daily Online reported.

While competing on Chinese reality show Supermodel she has earned the nickname "tui tui", meaning "long legs".

Lei is clearly shocked by her rapid rise to fame, and was quoted as saying: "I find it incredible that I have suddenly become an internet celebrity!

"I really enjoy my life and work at this moment, I fly around a lot and my work is like a holiday. I will work hard to succeed going forward and hope for the best."

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