A school of stubborn spa fish went on strike - refusing to nibble the feet of customers.

Footage shows the creatures gathering in the middle of the pool while tourists sit around, waiting for them to perform their signature skin exfoliations in Siquijor province, the Philippines on July 14.

Some of the holidaymakers stretched their legs out in a bid to lure the fish to them but to no avail.

Onlooker Hanna Grace Jungco said: 'We were resting under the old balete tree where there was fish spa but the fish didn't seem to like feet. Maybe they weren't hungry.'

Fish spas have soared in popularity since the turn of the century. The fish nibble on hardened, dry, skin on the soles of people's feet and toes, leaving them soft and smooth.

But despite being tourist attractions in many destinations, fish pedicures and spas have been criticised by animal rights groups due to cruelty and health concerns.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed that the garra rufa fish, the animals most commonly used in fish spas, ‘don't want to eat dead skin but are severely starved so they could be forced to eat human skin.'