Women can use male cheeks to help choose their mate

Evolutionary experts at Newcastle University reckon women can pick the love of their lives by looking at a photograph of a man's jowl.

Animal behaviour scientists at the university asked almost 100 women to look at 76 pictures of men's cheeks and asked them to assess their facial attractiveness.

They research found a correlation between an attractive complexion and men with more varied genes, which are thought to make them healthier and live longer.

Professor Morris Gosling, who is heading the three-year research project, said: "Relatively little work has been done on how humans make their mate choice.

"Women aim to avoid inbreeding. So that means they have to get the most varied genetic offspring so that they can resist parasites."

'The right mate'

Professor Gosling's research follows concerns that prolonged use of the contraceptive pill may dull the female ability to detect certain genetic "odours".

The study, paid for by the Wellcome Trust, used a sample of undergraduates and staff from the university.

Professor Gosling added: "Women are looking at the faces of men and picking those of us who have a mixed genetic composition.

"By simply looking at a picture of a man's cheeks they can make the necessary genetic discriminations they need to find the right mate.

"That means someone who will stay healthy, live a long time and prove healthy offspring without inherent disease."