£200-a-time ancestral DNA test kits are a rip off, say experts

But DNA heritage tests, which can cost up to £200 a go, could be worthless, according to a leading journal.

The tests are supposed to reveal where a subject's ancestors came from by comparing their genes to those of others from around the world.

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The popularity of the tests has boomed over the past five years as the technology to build genetic databases developed.

Tens of thousands of the tests are estimated to have been carried out in Britain.

But firms which carry out the tests are providing results that often appear to have nothing to do with applicants' biological or genetic backgrounds, Ancestors magazine claims in its latest edition.

Deputy editor Penny Law sent DNA samples to three firms - but each came up with different ancestries, suggesting her origins were either in East Asia, Spain or the near East.

'All were working from the same DNA with the same technology so to come back with different results is suspicious,' she said.

"It is important that people understand that there are some DNA tests that can be used for family history. But heritage DNA tests should be treated as fun - you can't rely on them."

International Biosciences, in Kent, charged £199 for its test and said Miss Law's ancestors came from East Asia - an area covering China, Japan and Korea.

Oxford Ancestors, founded by Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford University, charged £180.

Miss Law said: "I was apparently descended from Velda, a clan mother who lived 17,000 years ago in modern-day Spain."

Her descendants pushed north, eventually reaching Gascony and then, across France and into Britain.

Ancestry DNA, which charged £90, said Miss Law's ancestors hailed from the near East - including areas such as Turkey, Palestine and Jordan - 25,000 years ago.

The companies defended their results.

International Biosciences said: 'We're perfectly happy with the way we do the tests. We've never had any complaints.'

Oxford Ancestors said: 'We have had a number of clients who have found discrepancies with results from other firms.

Subsequent tests have shown that Oxford Ancestors get it right.'

Ancestry DNA said it provided a "good level of accuracy", although a spokesman added: "The science is still in its infancy and will develop as time goes on."