Teens keen to go under knife

A third of teenage girls who crave a better body believe plastic surgery is the answer, a new study shows.

Nearly half of 15-year-olds found the idea of a tummy tuck or breast enhancement acceptable - while three per cent were already saving up for an operation.

Many hope to follow in the footsteps of schoolgirl Jenna Franklin, who caused controversy in 2001 by persuading her parents to pay for breast implants for her 16th birthday.

She changed her mind after bad publicity, and advice from a leading surgeon who advised her to wait until she was 18.

Nearly a third of girls actually wanted to have surgery, the survey of 2,000 15-year-olds by Bliss magazine revealed.

Editor Helen Johnston said that, while few teenagers dreamed of becoming as artificially enhanced as glamour model Jordan, surgery was seen an ever-more acceptable option by many.

She added: 'Celebrities admitting to the odd operation, and reality TV shows and TV dramas based on plastic surgery, are making it seem more accessible to young women.'

Many girls felt pressure to live up to expectations from friends and boyfriends to look perfect, researchers found. They were also striving for the perfect bodies they see in magazines and on TV.

Many said problems at school such as bullying could reinforce perceptions girls had about poor body image.

A tummy tuck topped the wish-list, followed by thinner thighs and a bigger or smaller bust.