Genetic map researchers at show

People will be asked to donate DNA by giving a blood sample

Visitors at this year's Royal County of Berkshire Show will be asked to donate blood for a genetic map study.

Oxford University scientists are designing a genetic map to show how ancient populations migrated in the UK.

Scientists are studying how susceptible people are to diseases like cancer. The Newbury show takes place at weekend.

Archaeology suggests Anglo-Saxons did not conquer Wales, so they want to see how Anglo-Saxon or Celtic counties like Oxfordshire and Berkshire really are.

'Genetic markers'

Researchers, who are particularly interested in samples from people living in rural areas whose grandparents on both sides were born in the same place within a radius of about 30 miles, have already collected 1,900 samples.

Professor Walter Bodmer, from the University of Oxford, said: "Our aim is to characterise the genetic make-up of the British population and relate this to the historical and archaeological evidence.

"Our samples will provide a valuable control for studies on disease susceptibility which depend on comparing the frequency of genetic markers in disease groups with that in control groups."

The People of the British Isles study is funded by the Wellcome Trust.