Recession blamed as London is found to be adultery capital

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The recession is being blamed, with colleagues desperate to keep their jobs forming relationships as they spend longer together at work.

Today's findings from the Relate counselling service show that nearly 37 per cent of Londoners have had an affair compared with 33.5 per cent nationally.

It follows a string of failed high-profile relationships where infidelity was alleged, including that of footballer Ashley Cole and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, who divorced this month after the Chelsea star was linked to other women.

Relate counsellor Paula Hall said: "The recession means we're all working crazy hours. It's often in the workplace that opportunity arises, and socialising with colleagues over a drink on the way home.

"A lot of work teams are pulling together harder, which happens when people are emotionally stressed. This is called trauma bonding. Often people don't want to contaminate their home environments by burdening their partners with their stresses. And London is very anonymous — it's easier to have a secret affair, whereas in a small village everyone is likely to find out. The answer is not to put yourself in temptation's way."

The survey, based on interviews with more than 2,000 people, also found Londoners make love just over 65.52 times a year compared with a national average of 54.26.