Men value a woman’s intelligence over big breasts, long legs or other supposed desirable body features says a Cambridge University Professor.

Evolutionary expert Professor David Bainbridge says when hunting for a life partner,“the main thing that men are looking for is intelligence”.

“Breast size doesn’t matter,” he said at the Hay Festival. “Surveys have shown time and time again that this (intelligence) is the first thing that men look for.

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“It shows that she will be able to look after his children and that her parents were probably intelligent as well, suggesting that she was raised well.”

Professor Bainbridge, the author of a new book on the power of the female body, told the Telegraph the healthy growth of babies’ brains is effected by their mother’s thigh and bottom fat supplies, particularly when breast feeding.

How much fat sits there may directly contribute to a child’s intelligence and it’s why fat in those areas is so hard to lose – the body instinctively stores it.

He also expanded on the theory on why bigger breasts and longer legs are not what men are naturally attracted to.

“Actually large breasts are more likely to be asymmetric and men are more attracted to symmetry,” he said. “And they look older more quickly, and men value youth.”

“Men are not looking for long legs. Straight legs are a sign of genetic health so that is something that is more attractive, but surveys have shown most men prefer regular length.