A NEW interactive map has revealed a rise in the number of people having affairs in Warrington.

It shows that 901 people are having affairs in the town, demonstrating a considerable five per cent rise on last year’s figure of 855.

The cheating map created by IllicitEncounters.com, which it says is ‘the UK’s leading affairs site’, is based on data from one million postcodes.

The increase is due to the cost of living crisis making it too expensive for unhappy couples to divorce, so they are cheating instead, the website says.

It adds that there has also been a surge in affairs activity with life returning to normal after two years blighted by Covid restrictions.

IllicitEncounters.com spokeswoman Jessica Leoni said: “We have seen a big rise in affairs in Warrington and throughout most of Cheshire.

“The cost of living crisis has been a huge factor in boosting the numbers of affairs. Sex is one of the few things you can do which is free and is a good way to relieve stress.

“Fewer unhappy couples can afford to divorce because the cost of setting up two new homes is astronomical. It is far cheaper to stay in an unhappy relationship and have a discreet affair.

“A second factor has been life finally returning to normal after Covid, and cheaters making up for lost time after two years of restrictions.

“The run-up to Christmas is always a boom time for affairs because most people are back in the office and looking for some fun.”

The figures are based on IllicitEncounters’ own extensive data on the numbers of Britons cheating.