10:04am UK, Tuesday February 18, 2003

The number of men having plastic surgery is growing - and the most popular procedure is a penis extension.

180 doctors surgeons surgery operation

More than a third of plastic surgery patients in 2002 were men.

The Harley Medical Group has released data for 2002 showing the most popular procedures for men and women who were patients at one of its 10 clinics around the UK.

The results showed 35% of all patients were male, and the average age band was between 22 and 37 years.

The top five male procedures were penis extensions, nose surgery, liposuction, operations to pin back the ears and finally botox and collagen.

For women, the average age ranged from 22 to 45 years, and the most popular procedure was liposuction followed by breast enlargement.

The third most popular was laser hair removal, followed by botox and collagen and then nose surgery.

The company said the number of inquiries it had received during the first six weeks of this year was up by 26% compared to the same time last year.

Louise Braham, of the Harley Medical Group, said one reason for the growing popularity of cosmetic surgery was the new breed of British men now opting for regular treatments and surgical procedures.