Women worry about their bodies 252 times a week on an average, says a new survey.

One hundred women aged 35 to 69 were given clickers in an experiment to register each time they worried about the ageing process. Over seven days, the average number of clicks was 252.

The survey showed that on average women had negative thoughts 36 times a day.

The study was devised by keep-fit instructor Irene Estry and psychologist Emma Kenny to see if a looks-obsessed society creates ageism and pressure to stay youthful.

"It brought to the fore how many women have issues,” the Telegraph quoted one of the participants, Loose Women presenter Sherrie Hewson, 59, as telling the Daily Mail.

"Listening to others, they are saying what I'm saying when you think it's only you.

"There are so many of us there's got to be a common denominator, so we've got to get together and change it, change us," Hewson added.

Hewson, who had a facelift ten years ago, clicked 1,400 times over seven days but admitted she thought it would be more.

In her waking hours, she experienced a negative thought about herself approximately every three minutes.