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On the international stage, Brits are famed for their bad teeth - but that might not be the only physical characteristic which has people running for the hills.

BeautifulPeople.com is the dating website which has caused controversy precisely because it's only for, well, beautiful people.

In case you're not sure how one gets access to such a tool, then here's how it works.

Prospective users register their interest then sit tight for 48 hours while existing members of the opposite sex vote on their looks.

(Image: MERCURY PRESS)

It's a bit scary and Orwellian, but it has over a million members, so maybe that's just people for you.

Since its 2002 inception, the site has rejected 8.5 million people worldwide for not being attractive enough.

Traits which get the thumbs down from members include - but aren't limited to - bad skin, a large nose, being 'ThinFat' (women) or having either too much or too little hair (men).

Out of these 8.5 million people who didn't make the grade, one nationality came up over and over again - the UK.

(Image: MERCURY PRESS)

Yes, in last place comes the United Kingdom, tied with India, Russia and the Phillippines.

As for the most good-looking nation, the Scandinavian countries came out top here.

Greg Hodge, managing director of BeautifulPeople, says the results are a "bitter pill to swallow".

He said: "Sweden and Norway are proving to be the most aesthetically blessed nations in the world.

(Image: Caters News Agency)

"UK men and women aren't faring well, especially UK men, who share the dubious honour of being classified as the ugliest in the world on par with Russian and Polish men.

"I would say Britain is stumbling, especially the men, because of a general lack of grooming and an inactive pub culture lifestyle.

"Being English myself, this is a bitter pill for me and my countrymen to swallow."