Proof every woman turns into her mother: We all suspect it. But in this fascinating picture experiment, five mums and daughters face the disconcerting truth 

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Ageing is cruel for women. Once bright eyes dim. Lustrous hair turns to grey. And skin that was once iridescent begins to crepe.

And it is even harder when your daughter - who looks so much like you - is a constant reminder of the beauty you've lost.

Meanwhile, your daughter watches you age with curiosity. You are, after all, a living signpost of what lies ahead for her.

These mothers and daughters thought they weren't alike until computer wizardry, we join together photographs of five mothers and daughters and prove them wrong. Sara Pearson, 62, left, owns her own PR company. She has three grown-up children and lives with her partner in Chelsea, London. Her daughter, Clemmie, 30, right, is a director at her mother's agency and lives in Pimlico, Central London

Here, using computer wizardry, we join together photographs of five mothers and daughters and prove to them they are more alike than they realised. All that sets them apart are a few wrinkles and a fading glow.

We then asked how the pictures made them feel. Here with astonishing candour, they speak of the envy, pride, grief and regret they felt when they saw that the old adage is true... most women really do turn into their mothers.

IF I CAN LOOK LIKE HER WHEN I'M OLDER I'LL BE HAPPY 

Sara Pearson, 62, owns her own PR company. She has three grown-up children and lives with her partner in Chelsea, London. Her daughter, Clemmie, 30, is a director at her mother's agency and lives in Pimlico, Central London.

Sara says: Clemmie often says she looks like me. She's wrong. She's far more beautiful than I ever was. But I don't feel envy when I look at her. She's my beloved daughter - how could I feel anything but joy? Besides, I'm simply happy to get to my age without any health problems.

Sarah, left, thinks that her daughter Clemmie is far more beautiful than she ever was in her youth, while Clemmie, left, says that is she can look like her mother when she is older she will be happy. She especially admires her mother's bone structure and youthful skin and has inhertied her eyes and her smile

Everyone should embrace ageing with positivity, and not obsess over wrinkles. Changing your looks won't really make you happy - and that's why I've never had any kind of cosmetic procedure. No matter how badly I age, I never will. There are a few things you can do to improve your skin - regular facials are vital.

My advice to mums like me? Enjoy your daughter's beauty. It's a gift you helped give them.

Clemmie says: When people say Mum and I look alike, Mum always says that's terrible for me. But if I can look like her when I'm older, I'll be happy. She has beautiful bone structure and great skin, which I envy a little as I'm starting to notice wrinkles.

Perhaps it's because I'm a sun worshipper, whereas Mum always slaps on factor 50. I've inherited Mum's eyes and smile. But perhaps her greatest gift to me is a positive attitude about my appearance.

AGE IS HARD BECAUSE I WAS SO ATTRACTIVE

Josie O'Rourke, 48, is deputy manager of a bookmaker's. She is separated from her husband and lives in Hastings, East Sussex. Her daughter, Jodie Clark O'Rourke, 24, an events manager, lives in Stratford, East London.

Josie O'Rourke, 48, left side, is deputy manager of a bookmaker's. She is separated and lives in Hastings, East Sussex. Her daughter, Jodie Clark O'Rourke, right side, 24, an events manager, lives in Stratford, East London

Josie says: My looks are very important to me. And I admit I'm vain. When I see myself without make-up, it's disheartening.

There are some women who embrace ageing, but I can't because I used to be so attractive - just like my daughter, Josie. Ageing is definitely harder for attractive women. If you worry about your looks, you've more to lose.

But I do think that for a 48-year-old I look pretty good. However, every time I stand next to Jodie it's a reminder to keep the lines at bay. We have the same cheeks, only hers are more youthful. In part of my war on ageing, I've had Botox every six months since I was 40. There's a fine balance, though. While I've always worn lots of make-up, you need to make sure you don't go too far. I'd love to look younger - but I never want to look foolish.

Joise, left, can't stand the ageing process, especially since she thought she was so attractive in her youth. She has had Botox every year for the past six months. However, Jodie, left, things her mum is still gorgeous

Jodie says: Ageing hasn't even crossed my mind yet. I like what I see: I'm attractive.

Mum's made it clear she hates getting older. I wish she could see she's still gorgeous. I love that we look so alike - we have the same eyes, smile and dimples. Mum has a few beauty rules she's drummed into me. Always use Clinique skincare products and if you ever get a spot, set your alarm for every two hours during the night to apply cream to get rid of it.

She tells me to avoid sunbeds but I ignore her. I like a golden tan. If I have to have Botox like Mum, I won't mind. I'm not at all worried about looking like her. I just hope I do.

IT'S FLATTERING IF PEOPLE SEE A RESEMBLANCE

Esther Savage, 73, is a retired housekeeper. She is married and lives on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Daughter, Wendy Brake, 43, is a paediatric sleep consultant, living with son, Daniel, 3, also on the Isle of Sheppey

Esther Savage, 73, is a retired housekeeper. Married with two daughters, she lives on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Her daughter, Wendy Brake, 43, is a paediatric sleep consultant and lives with son, Daniel, three, also on the Isle of Sheppey.

Esther says: I haven't worn make-up in over 40 years - apart from for this photoshoot! That's because looks don't mean much to me.

What a contrast to my 20s, when I used to love putting on a full face, backcombing my hair and wearing stilettos.

Then I got married and had children. My priorities changed - not because of my age, but because I gained more perspective.

My children came first. And indeed, having recovered from a serious operation last year, I know more than ever that being healthy is more important than appearance. It's interesting to see Wendy's inherited my attitude to looks. She's not fussed about expensive lotions and potions either.

Esther, right, stopped caring about her looks after she got married and had children, not because of her age, but because she gained perspective. Wendy, right, agrees that ageing doesn't phase her and finds it liberating

It's not just our attitudes that are similar. We have the same smile and prominent noses. It's flattering to see the resemblance.

Wendy says: Ageing doesn't phase me. Just like Mum, I find it liberating. There are more important things in life, like your health. I've recently lost ten stone after a gastric bypass and have gone from a size 28 to a 14-16. Becoming a mother three years ago also made me see what's important - and it's certainly not looks.

So when I see the odd line, I don't worry. And like Mum, I don't wear make-up. Why should I? I look fine without it. My skincare 'regime' is simple: wash my face in water. That's it.

I NEVER THOUGHT WE WERE ALIKE UNTIL NOW

Frances Dunscombe, 83, is a former stay-at-home mother who recently became a model. Widowed five years ago, she lives in Surrey and has one daughter, Tineka Fox, 57, who is also a model. Married to Barry, 63, they have three grown-up children and live in Surrey.

Frances Dunscombe, 83, is a former stay-at-home mother who recently became a model. She lives in Surrey and has one daughter, Tineka Fox, 57. Married to Barry, 63, they have 3 grown-up children and live in Surrey

Frances says: When I look in the mirror I see someone who is ageing every day. But I've always felt younger than my contemporaries, many of whom have one foot in the grave.

I didn't bother with make-up or skincare until my late-50s. But being asked to be a model last year while I was with Tineka visiting an agency, certainly made me think more about my looks.

But there's no point worrying. You can't change them! I still feel young and dance around the house to the radio. Until today, I've never thought I looked like Tineka. I always saw my husband and mother-in-law in her. In my eyes, Tineka was more beautiful than me.

Frances, left, still feels young and likes to dance around the house to the radio. She has never thought she looks like her daughter until she saw the computer generated image. Tineka thinks her mother has always been effortlessly stunning. She says thankfully her mother has passed on her good genes and healthy habits

Now I can see how much I've passed to my daughter, I hope she's inherited my attitude too: being positive keeps you beautiful, not what's on the surface.

Tineka says: Mum has always been effortlessly stunning, something I've always been aware of. Thankfully, she's passed on her good genes and healthy habits. Even back in the Seventies, when it wasn't fashionable, she used health food shops. When she moans she's too thin, I tell her off. Thankfully, we share the same metabolism.

Day to day, I don't think I look old until I see my reflection beside my daughters, who are 22 and 32. Only then do I think: 'Goodness, what happened to me?' Looking at my mother's face, blended with mine, doesn't scare me a bit.

IF I LOOK LIKE MUM IN 30 YEARS, GREAT!

Rhonda Mackintosh, 45, a model, lives with husband Kenneth, 53, an engineering manager, in Glasgow and their two children. Her daughter, Darcey, is 15.

Rhonda Mackintosh, left side, 45, a model, lives with husband Kenneth, 53, an engineering manager, in Glasgow and their two children. Her daughter, Darcey, is 15 and makes up the right hand side of the image

Rhonda says: When I look at Darcey, I see my younger self so clearly. It’s almost like going back in time. It’s lovely, but peculiar - like seeing yourself through fresh eyes.

Others see it too. People stop her in the street and say: ‘You must be Rhonda’s daughter.’

I used to have the same hang-ups that she does, but if she complains about her looks I’ll tell her she’s mad.

Her aquamarine eyes, which no one else in the family has, always attract attention  -I’d love to have them. By and large though, I’ve been dealt a pretty lucky hand. I’m not unhappy with ageing - in part, thanks to turning 40 and feeling more comfortable with myself. After all, you can only look after yourself and fate will do the rest. A little bit of what you fancy always does you good and I try to pass that attitude on to Darcey.

Mum Rhonda, left, says when she looks at Darcey she sees her younger self clearly, and it almost feels like going back in time. Darcey, on the other hand, says the resemblance has really surprised her, right

Darcey says: While I’ve always known Mum and I were alike, seeing this picture and our resemblance has really surprised me. If in 30 years I look like her, great! But there are still bits of me I don’t like - the shape of my nose, for one. I’ve inherited that from my dad, rather than my mum.

I’ve never felt any pressure to look a certain way because of Mum’s appearance or her job.

It’s something I’m so used to. Besides, she’s made me realise that it’s important to be clever rather than good-looking because looks can be gone in a second.