Face of the first Briton is revealed: DNA analysis shows 10,000-year-old man had 'dark to black' skin with BLUE eyes and curly hair - and is related to one in 10 of today's Brits

Experts from the Natural History Museum and University College London conducted genetic tests on the remains, finding that the earliest Briton would be considered 'black' if he lived today. Cheddar Man's bones (top right) caused a sensation when they were unearthed in Gough's cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset in 1903. Researchers extracted DNA data from bone powder by drilling a 2mm hole through the skull's inner ear bone. A previous reconstruction of Cheddar Man, made by the University of Manchester before DNA tests were available, depicted him with white skin.

The ‘extraordinary’ findings were made by cutting-edge genetic tests and facial reconstruction techniques carried out for the first time on the bones of ‘Cheddar Man’ who died 10,000 years ago.

The bones, found in Somerset's Cheddar Gorge, are the oldest near-complete human skeleton ever found in Britain and scientists said they were surprised to discover that the earliest Briton would be considered ‘black’ if he lived today.

The research suggests the first inhabitants of the British isles developed white skin later on than previously thought.

Experts also revealed that Cheddar Man is directly related to 1 in 10 people living in the UK today.