As Hollywood's best-known 'cougar', Demi Moore has become the envy of millions.

But while British women may wish for the 47-year-old's youthful, toned figure, it seems they do not hanker after her toyboy husband, 31-year-old Ashton Kutcher.

New research has found that 71 percent of women over the age of 35 said they would not date a man who was more than three years younger than them.

Two-thirds of the women told a poll they believed shared values and interests were more important than looks.

The survey's findings go against the recent publicity surroundingso-called cougars, middle-aged women who date considerably younger men.

Demi Moore, Madonna and British artist Sam Taylor-Wood are all in relationships with younger men, and the trend has even sparked a hit television series, Cougar Town.

But the research, by dating website matchaffinity.com, found that three-quarters of British women wanted relationships with men their own age.

Psychologist Dr Cecilia d'Felice said: 'For British women, the key to a successful relationship is finding someone on the same wavelength, a person whom they genuinely resonate with.

'While some couples successfully transcend conventional age barriers, many people find it more satisfying to relate to someone their own age because their experiences and outlook on life are more likely to be similar.

'Clearing up after a twenty-something who doesn't know how to use the washing machine, however gorgeous, is not most women's idea of fun.'

(Read by Lee Hannon. Lee Hannon is a journalist at the China Daily Web site.)

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(Agencies)