Boys will be boys...

By contrast today's wimpy UK males are marking their 40th birthday by spending more than �2bn on plastic surgery, motorbikes or even counselling.

That is according to research by Virgin Money Loans, which says a growing fear of getting old among men is proving a bonanza for some businesses.

It said 62% of men in their forties complained of pressure to stay young.

A third of forty-something UK men said they were now taking the drastic action of having plastic surgery, botox or other cosmetic treatments.

Young at heart

A further 40% of men hire a personal trainer or join a gym when they turn 40, 42% buy a motorbike and 18% paid for counselling, said Virgin Money Loans.

To pay for their mid-life crisis one in four men take out a loan, while 45% turn to their credit cards and 30% raid their savings.

"Trading up to a younger model, whether that was a sports car or a partner, used to be the first sign of a male mid-life crisis, but it seems men are now prepared to spend big to change more than just their images," said Erica Bell of Virgin Money.

The biggest concern for men hitting 40 was their health, which 40% said was a fear, followed by career prospects (23%), looks (20%) and love life (10%).