Women who have fuller and firmer lips are seen as younger than they really are, research suggests.

Even with a few wrinkles or grey hairs, a plump pout can takes years off a woman, Unilever scientist David Gunn has found.

His study of over 250 women, including sets of twins, reveals that thin lips are a genetic trait rather than a result of our environment.

The findings are published in PLoS One journal.

The researchers found a large variation in lip thickness among women over 60.

The pink part of the thinnest lips measured just 3mm from the top of the upper lip to the bottom of the lower lip, while the fullest lips among the over-sixties measured 2.2cm.

Other tell-tale signs of ageing that appeared to be genetically determined included a receding hairline and greying hair.

But wrinkles, sun damage and age spots were equally influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Researcher David Gunn said: "When we identified people who looked young for their age, we were struck by the difference in their lips.

"It is a feature that is strongly genetically determined and relatively easy to measure."

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