Eating more fruit and vegetables can give your skin a noticeable "golden glow" within weeks.

Researchers in Scotland looked at the impact of the orangey-red carotenoid pigments found in fruit and vegetables on skin tone.

The results showed that two extra portions of fruit and vegetables every day created a change in skin colour within six weeks.

Scientists from St Andrews University said their research supports NHS guidelines to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

They added that 75% of people in the UK did not eat the recommended daily amount.

They hope their findings will appeal to the nation's vanity and offer a better incentive for people to take up a healthier diet.

Researcher Ross Whitehead said: "Most of us know we should eat plenty of fruit and veg, yet we are not sufficiently motivated to actually go ahead and eat a healthy diet.

"Government strategies aimed at improving diet typically only offer information about why a healthy diet is good for us. These strategies have, so far, had no real impact on the nation's eating habits.

"Knowing you are going to look more attractive in a few weeks may be more persuasive than the promise of health benefits later in life."

Scientists tracked 35 students over six-weeks, measuring natural changes in diet and skin colour.

The individuals who improved their diet over the study period showed an increase in the golden skin tone, but it reduced in those whose diet had slipped.