What men really fear about their mums-in-law

London: Bizarre it may appear, but men find the idea that their better half may turn out to look like their mother-in-laws just plain scary.

In fact, a new survey has revealed that it is men's greatest relationship fear.

The average male is more alarmed by the prospect than by the thought of not having a girlfriend at all.

Of course, all mothers-in-law are not created equal. But for 13 per cent of men, the fear was very real, found the survey of 2,000 men by a well-known beer company.

Only 12 per cent of men were afraid of staying single, while the biggest concern for 11 per cent was chatting up a girl who was out of their league.

Relationship expert Jo Barnett was quoted by the 'Daily Express' as saying, "There is a saying that if you want to know what your girlfriend will look like, then meet her mother. If you're after a nice slim, fit lady but her mum's obese then there's a chance she might go that way too.

"But women take care of themselves a lot better than a generation ago so it's not always the case."