Six in ten women in UK have had an affair with a colleague

It used to be seen as an amorous adventure that would eventually end in tears.

But a study has revealed that almost six in ten women have had a secret affair with a colleague.

Eighty nine per cent say relationships with coworkers are "not frowned on at all" and half of all women meet the love of their life at work.

Even having a relationship with your boss, once seen as strictly taboo, is now widely acceptable.

Nearly three-quarters of women would consider it, according to the survey on working women and relationships commissioned by the magazine More.

It suggests bars, clubs, dinner parties and internet dating sites are being forsaken by women who face ever-increasing hours in the office.

British men and women work the longest hours in Europe.

In the developed world we have now overtaken Japan and are only second to the United States.

Women, in particular, have experienced significant changes in their work pattern.

Since 1992, 52 per cent more are expected to do 48 hours a week.

Lisa Smosarski, editor of More, said: "Women spend so many hours at work now it's not surprising the boardroom is replacing the bedroom.

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"Work is far more pressurised than it used to be and flirting has become a natural way to make the job more enjoyable. It's also much easier to get away with flirting behind your colleagues' backs thanks to email."

The study of 2,000 women found 64 per cent say they flirt with male colleagues and eight out of ten have been attracted to someone they've worked with.

Men in positions of power are prime targets: 61 per cent say they're attracted to those higher up than them.

The study found very few of those who have relationships with co-workers lose their jobs.

Only 4 per cent of those questioned were sacked over such behaviour while two-thirds said it had "no career effect on either party".

The most popular method of flirting was email followed by dalliances while on the tea run.

Overall, 70 per cent think "flirting makes the workplace more interesting" and three out of ten working women have gone the whole way and had sex at work.

The study also found that soccer manager Jose Mourinho - who recently parted company with Chelsea - is considered Britain's sexiest boss.

Simon Cowell came second, followed by Sir Richard Branson and chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli and Marco Pierre White.