One in 10 British couples sleep in separate beds

New research found seven per cent of Brits actually spend more time with their pet than their other half, while a third of independent Brits - 34 per cent - say they have been on a holiday without their partner.

Meanwhile, eight per cent say they would always choose to go away with friends or family over their other half.

In an apparent effort to strengthen dwindling relationships, couples in the UK are going to all kinds of lengths to recapture the spark.

The study by esure found 39 per cent of Brits believe they have a healthier relationship because of their independent home lives.

And five per cent even think having separate bedrooms is one of the main reasons they are so happy in their relationship.

Jane Long, 43, a receptionist from Bristol, said: "I've been married for 14 years now and my husband understands we need our own space.

"As we both work long hours it is often easier for us to sleep in separate beds some nights of the week.

"But we do try and enjoy quality time together on the weekends which I think is important."

A fifth of couples - 22 per cent - said there would be no love lost even if they regularly visited friends or family separately, while four per cent of Brits claimed they have taken a lengthy sabbatical from work while leaving their partner at home.

However, couples leading independent lives and requiring their own space is not unheard of.

Actress Helena Bonham Carter and her husband, director Tim Burton, are known to live in separate adjoining houses - because he snores.

So-called 'quality time' appears to be on the decline too, as Brits admit to spending just four hours a day with their partner during a working week.

The time apart was blamed by 47 per cent on work commitments, while one in five prefer to socialise and 16 per cent cited the gym as the reason.

The poll, by insurance providers esure, also found 12 per cent have their own room which they do not allow their other half to spend time in.

Proving opposites attract, 15 per cent describe themselves as being the 'polar opposite' of their partner.

What's more, 54 per cent said they have entirely different hobbies while 44 per cent think having separate tastes makes for a stronger relationship.

Nikki Sellers, head of home underwriting at esure, said: "It is clear British couples are becoming more independent from each other.

"It certainly appears that Brits do believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder."