More than half of UK women want a toyboy

More than two thirds of women in Gloucester, the “cougar capital” of Britain, admit being “cougars” - older women who date toyboys.

The survey by social networking site Badoo found that this compares with a national average of 52 percent, though 70 percent admitted they had thought about having a relationship with a man who was their junior.

Almost 12 percent of women say they actively “hunt” out younger men for a fling.

The poll of 2,000 women found Aberdeen and Glasgow had the second and third largest cougar populations, with 62 percent and 61 percent of women saying they had dated younger men.

They were followed by Southampton, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Oxford, Swansea and Leicester.

The toyboy trend has grown in recent years and there have been some notable celebrity examples like Ashton Kutcher-Demi Moore, Jennifer Lopez and Madonna following it.

However, it’s not just the obvious physical side of the relationship that is attractive to older women, said Badoo.

Friendship, fun and the boost to self-confidence in being seen with a younger man were named by women as reasons why it is such an appealing option.

Social networks have also helped this trend, with women feeling more confident to make the first move online.