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New research suggests that good-looking people do better in exams and thus probably in later life, than the plain or downright ugly.

In the study, better-looking students achieved superior results in both oral and written exams - the latter marked anonymously - suggesting that success is not just down to teachers favouring attractive students but to superior natural ability.

Debate has raged for years among sociologists and economists over "the beauty factor".

Most research, beginning with Gary Becker, the 1992 Nobel prizewinning economist, has suggested that discrimination, whether because of looks, height or race, is due to observed physical characteristics.

The significance of the new research is that even where testing is "blind", good-looking people do better. One reason for this, the researchers suggest, is that attractive children get more attention from their parents.

Even more important is that good looks lead to higher self-esteem. Attractive people may be more confident and work harder.

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