Mixer Shower fixing

[steamvalve]

I have just purchased a barrel style mixer shower - the type where the on/off tap is on the left and the temperature is on the right. To my surprise there doesn't seem to be any means of fixing it to the wall. I was expecting some kind of hidden wall plate. The only way I can see of fixing it is by screwing the pipe cover plates down hard onto the tiles, this in turn pulls on the pipework beind the wall. It's not a great idea, because it puts strain on the pipework - but I can't see another way. Can anyone please advise what normally happens? Many thanks...

 

[Dan Robinson]

Any chance of a photo or a make/model number?

There are fittings to help spread the load:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=56419&ts=05214