A seaside town has the second highest divorce rate in the UK.

Hastings, which had a 12.1 per cent divorce rate in 2022 according to the Office for National Statistics data, was just behind Norwich at 12.8 per cent.

Eastbourne had an 11.7 per cent rate, followed by Worthing at 11.1 per cent.

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The data, which covers the whole of 2022, shows divorces dropped by 30 per cent across the country compared with the previous year to the lowest number since 1971.

Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter said this decline is "hugely surprising".

Karen Jeary, family partner and solicitor at Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: “A drop this significant is hugely surprising and one we haven’t seen for many years.

“Whilst ‘no fault divorce’ legislation has simplified the process for couples, the ONS data suggests that fewer people may be choosing to get married in favour of other living arrangements.

"Coupled with the aftermath of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, marriage and divorce may be simply unaffordable for some people, which is reflected in the decrease in divorces."

No-fault divorces mean people can now start the process on mutual terms and agree that the marriage has broken down.