This is what makes a man attractive to women; and it's all in the length

What is it that makes a man attractive to a woman? Is it the well groomed hair, good dress sense, toned abs? It turns out that women do not go crazy for all of that at all.

According to science, it is all in the length, but not where you think it matters.

Women are more attracted to men with long legs, new research has found.

According to experts, men with longer limbs are more likely to be healthy and wealthy.

The research showed 341 women a range of computer generated images, based on real-life men.

The women were asked to rate their attractiveness as the arms and legs were adjusted.

It turns out that men scored highest when their legs were slightly longer than average.

But the length of their arms made no difference, the University of Cambridge academics found.

According to researchers, longer legs are thought to indicate high economic status, robustness and good nutrition. They may also be a sign of biomechanical efficiency when walking or running.

On the other hand, short legs were linked to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and dementia - so instinct tells women to steer clear of that gene pool.

According to lead author of the study Dr William Skylark, the observed preference for leg body ratios that are at or slightly above average accords with the idea that these signal the fitness of the prospective mate.

The findings are published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.