Conspiracy theorists who believe the Moon landings were faked, or that the world is controlled by a small sinister cabal, have similar character traits, scientists have discovered.

Researchers surveyed 1,200 people asking them whether they believed in two specific urban myths and also assessed their personalities

They found those who tend to believe conspiracy theories tend to be more suspicious, untrusting, eccentric with a tendency to view the world as inherently dangerous. They also need to feel special.

“People who are reluctant to believe in conspiracy theories tend to have the opposite qualities, said Josh Hart, associate professor of psychology, of Union College, New York, who carried out the study.

"Conspiracy theorists are also more likely to detect meaningful patterns where they might not exist. People who are reluctant to believe in conspiracy theories tend to have the opposite qualities."