Colchester one of the top UK cities to have an affair

Research by the world’s leading married dating site, Ashley Madison, shows as the days grow shorter Brits are looking for new ways to spice things up in the bedroom.

Colchester has been ranked as one of the most popular cities in which to have an affair across the country, sitting 6th out of 20 adulterous cities.   

Salford, meanwhile, has been revealed to be the best city in the UK for having an affair - with Mancunian neighbours closely following in second place.

Newcastle took third place, with Bournemouth in 4th and Brighton rounding out the top five.

New additions to the list include Glasgow and Aberdeen with other new entries including Bolton in 20th and Basingstoke in 16th.

Colchester High Street (Image: Newsquest)

Lucy Beresford, relationship expert and psychotherapist, said: “This study shows that as the nights draw in and even snow is forecast, affairs are not concentrated just in one pocket of the UK.

“Nor is infidelity happening in the country’s largest cities, since London is no longer in the Top 20.

“Instead, from the top of the country in Aberdeen right down to the South Coast in Brighton, what is traditionally known as the ‘cuffing season’ (where people look to find special cuddle partners in the run up to the festive season), is clearly now happening up and down the country.

“And it is cities on water high up the rankings, like Newcastle and Bournemouth, which suggests that biting winds do nothing to deter people wanting to get their emotional needs met.”

Christoph Kraemer, managing director Europe for Ashley Madison, added: “It is highly unusual a city earns top spots both in our summer and winter ranking of most unfaithful cities.

“We are open to collaborating with Salford city officials to further promote its standing as the UK’s top infidelity destination.”