MEN in the North West are more conscious of their looks and how they feel than ever before according to the leisure manager at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

Karen France said male beauty treatments are on the increase and many men would have woken up at Christmas to find a gift voucher in their stocking.

But a lot of it is apparently down to encouragement by their partners to look after themselves.

Karen said: "There's no doubt that men are more aware of their looks and general health than has been generally thought. They regularly book in for facials and even have an occasional manicure before finishing off with a swim.

"The number of gift vouchers we have sold to our female members for their men definitely points in that direction."

Due to demand, the hotel has created a special 'Essentially for Men' treatment which is growing in popularity and includes facials, massages, manicures, deep tissue body massage and scalp massage.

Karen said: "A lot of clients are businessmen who simply want to relax in the spa and finish off with some treatment, generally a massage."