One in five people living in the south east have had affairs, a study claims.

The same amount are dissatisfied with their sex lives, according to the survey by counselling group Relate.

Jo Carden, chief executive of Relate in Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne, Worthing and districts, said the results show a link between relationships and wellbeing.

In findings published yesterday the survey said 10% of the 5,000 participants do not have any close friends.

It found 19% of people never, or rarely, felt loved in the two weeks before the survey.

Around 23% experienced a breakdown in their parents’ relationships, while 61% think money worries are the biggest strain on a relationship.

But 88% of people said they have good relationships with their partners, the survey said.