Good news: Scots in top 20 beautiful people. Bad news: at No19

SCOTLAND has made it into the top 20 of the best-looking nations on earth – but only just.

A survey of more than 5,000 British travellers found Americans were considered the most beautiful people on the planet.

These were followed closely by Brazilians, Spaniards and Australians.

The English were considered the seventh best-looking people, while the Welsh came in at 13th and the Irish at 16th.

But Scotland made it into the top 20 in 19th place, one ahead of the Germans.

The United States topped the poll, thanks to the reputation of Hollywood stars such as George Clooney and Jessica Simpson.

In second place was Brazil, famous for its Samba queens, while Spain, which boasts Hollywood actress Penlope Cruz as one of its natives, was third.

The study was carried out by www.OnePoll.com, and a spokesman said: ''America has got a lot on offer and boasts some of the sexiest people on the planet.

"But with a population of 300 million, they had a bit of an unfair advantage.

"England's talent only got them into seventh place and, despite Gerard Butler waving the flag for Scotland, they only just beat the Germans.

"But in fairness, when you think of good-looking countries, Sweden, Italy, France and Brazil talent all spring to mind before us lazy, pale Brits."

Other countries to feature in the top 20 included India, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Japan and the Netherlands.