Paul Mansley decided to change his image in April

Paul Mansley, a 20-year-old Leeds University student, says he opted for the change in style at the end of April.

The braids were put in by a hairdresser in his home town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire - weeks before the Manchester United star was pictured with the same look.

Mr Mansley, who works for local look-alike agency Fake Faces, said he was delighted when he realised Beckham had followed suit.

He said: "I was due to do a fashion show and I just thought it was a good time for a change, so I went for the braids.

"I have had them done in the past and I thought they looked good so I went for it.

"I'm obviously pleased that David's gone for the look.

"I've certainly been in a lot of demand since the weekend."

Mr Mansley has only been working as a look-alike for the England skipper since February.

The real David Beckham was first snapped with his hip-hop style braids at a lunch in the south of France at the weekend.

The much talked about hairstyle was unveiled at a restaurant in Nice, where Beckham, wife Victoria, Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley enjoyed lunch.